Investing in heritage of diverse ethnic communities

a group of people with black and white skin stand around a book of records in an archive

Dig Where You Stand, North Yorkshire. Photo: Alicia Barrett.

Heritage belongs to us all – which is why we want to help tell everyone's stories.

At The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we support all sorts of projects which explore and celebrate the heritage of diverse ethnic communities.

We want to support all communities to explore and share their heritage, enriching people’s lives and increasing the diversity of heritage workforces, leadership and audiences. That's why under our Heritage 2033 investment principles inclusion, access and participation must be part of every project we fund.

The terms we use

Some of the terms we use include:

diverse ethnic communities, or ethnically diverse communities. In Scotland we use MECC (minority ethnic and cultural community). We have revised our usage of the term BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic).
LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other identities)
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. This describes a range of ethnic groups or people with nomadic ways of life who are not from a specific ethnicity.

We use these terms because we believe they are widely understood. Identities can be complex and intersectional, and we are also aware that for many these terms may feel inadequate or limiting. We keep the language we use constantly under review.

Get inspiration for your project

Explore the projects below and find out more about applying for our funding.

A photo of an indoor event, with a speaker talking to a seated audience

A Dig Where You Stand event

Projects

Excavating untold stories of people from diverse ethnic communities in South Yorkshire

In the Dig Where You Stand project, artists, archivists, educators and local people will work together to explore hidden histories that stretch back centuries.

08/02/2023

A group of black performers in colourful costumes at Stirling Castle

OMOS performers at Stirling Castle. Photo: Washington Gwande

Projects

Black heritage, performance and Shakespeare in Scotland

Inspired by the untold history of Black performance in Scotland, this project celebrates modern black LGBTQ+ performance and widens understanding and engagement with Black Scottish heritage.

16/03/2021

Person painting a rickshaw on display in the South Asia Gallery at Manchester Museum

Rickshaw being painted as part of the South Asia Gallery at Manchester Museum

News

Hello Future: Manchester Museum to reopen following ambitious transformation

Supported by National Lottery players, the museum will offer visitors the chance to see never-before-displayed collections, explore unique co-curated galleries and learn about extraordinary projects and research.

16/02/2023

An archive photo of people in the 2funky Records store

An archive photo from the 2Funky Records store

Projects

Culture Hubs: Record Stores, Black Music and the Windrush Generation

2Funky Arts are documenting the role of independent record stores of black origin as cultural hubs, focusing on black, African and Caribbean experiences from the 1950s to the present day.

08/12/2022

A woman's hands holding a cassette tape. She has bangles on her wrists and is wearing a red cardigan.

For some, cassettes were a way to keep in touch

Projects

Uncovering the history of long-distance communication for migrants in Scotland

While many were using audio cassettes to listen to their favourite mixtape, for some South Asians in Scotland they were essential for communicating with their family.

25/10/2022