Our City Our Truth is an immersive experience in film, sound and performance researched in local communities and made by "some of the North East’s most exciting young creatives", revealing the unheard stories of growing up in NewcastleGateshead and shedding light on the issues that matter to under-25s in the city.
Our City Our Truth is organised by City of Dreams with support from NewcastleGateshead Cultural Venues.
“During the past year 11,000 children and young people have contributed their stories to City of Dreams,” explained Ben Dickenson, Executive Producer for City of Dreams. “They've found dozens of creative ways to talk about their lives, the challenges they face and the changes they want to see. The standout issues of concern are discrimination, gender inequality and poverty.”
Taking place at Sage Gateshead twice, at 5:30PM on 8 and 9 November, Our City Our Truth is an immersive experience in film, sound and performance produced by young people working with City of Dreams in partnership with leading arts and community organisations and Newcastle University.
The event explores these issues in real stories gathered on film in the last month, alongside performances from popular Tyneside actor and singer Kema Kay, rising local stars Wambui Hardcastle and Papi Kanu and the Streetwise Crew rap ensemble. Transforming Sage Gateshead’s Barbour Room to represent the division young people sometimes feel in our city, this is a 75-minute experience revealing tales of hate crime, young women’s safety fears, food poverty and more.
Our City Our Truth has been made by a team of young producers, enabling them tell stories they care about. The young producers have led a partnership of 16 organisations including schools, charities, youth groups and artistic collaborators whilst kick-starting their creative careers.
Clara Shield, trustee of the Young Women’s Film Academy who filmed dozens of young people’s stories for the production, commented, “there has never been a more crucial time for young people to be heard. Our City Our Truth is a platform for young people to share stories, feelings and ideas in creative ways. We are delighted to be part of supporting the next generation to shape the world they want to live in.”
The event is part of a programme of performances and debates addressing issues of social justice, commissioned by Newcastle University to celebrate the opening of its learning and teaching building, The Frederick Douglass Centre. Escaping slavery in 1838, Douglass became one of the most prominent intellectuals of his time, advising presidents, speaking widely issues of social justice and famously visiting Newcastle in 1846.
Speaking of the decision to commission City of Dreams, Professor Julie Sanders, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, said, “the voice, agency and commitment of young people is changing the world right now. We are proud that part of that story will unfold at Sage Gateshead on 8 and 9 November as part of our Frederick Douglass celebrations, and that the University has been able to give these talents and these issues a platform.”
City of Dreams is a 10-year strategy for all children and young people in NewcastleGateshead, engaging under-25s in creative activity, supporting them to have a strong voice in decisions about the city and growing their skills and confidence. Initiated by NewcastleGateshead Cultural Venues and launched in September 2018, City of Dreams is supported by more than 50 organisations in arts, culture, heritage, science, community, voluntary and statutory sectors. A Young Champions board helps to lead and steer all of City of Dreams work.