What we do
Site Gallery collaborates with young people from all over Sheffield. We welcome the divergent opinions, experiences and beliefs young people bring to situations and encourage curiosity, provocation and creative conversation.
We commission artists to collaborate with young people to research, experiment and create work that can be shared in the gallery, online or in a range of community settings. This can be a sharing of research, knowledge or artwork.
Society of Explorers
One of the main ways young people engage with Site Gallery is through the Society of Explorers; a collective of young people aged 14 – 19 who meet weekly at the gallery to collaborate with artists, create their own artwork, and help to develop Site Gallery’s programme. The group has been running since 2013 and has a rolling membership. They are a key stakeholder in helping Site Gallery bring the voices and influence of young people into the organisation, and co-curate our annual summer exhibition (previously Wishful Thinking, summer 2023 and Cyber Cafe, summer 2024).
Find out more and get involved
“A good few years back, I attended one of these at the site gallery – it was with a famous artist who came in to work with a group of young people for two weeks. I’d had an interest in photography before – but this really grew that and enabled me on many levels, to take this forward. These days I’ve shot photos of all-sorts of events, from theatre to film stills, to famous faces like Trevor McDonald, Kate Nash, and many more. But it was the visual language I learnt that enabled that, and it took me to the next level. I highly recommend getting on this, it might literally change your life forever.”
Oliver Ibbotson, 2019
Creative Producers
Creative Producers is a new programme, starting autumn 2024, for care experienced young people aged 18-25. The programme is designed to develop creativity and professional skills and learn about the creative industries in Sheffield.
Working in partnership with Sheffield City Council’s Voice and Influence Team, the Creative Producers will take part in weekly creative workshops designed around their interests, working with a variety of artists, learning new skills, exploring their creative practice, and producing events. We’ll also be taking trips to different arts organisations to experience a wide range of activity taking place in the city and beyond.
Find out more and get involved by emailing Participation Producer Sile Sibanda
Family Workshops
Site Gallery offers a diverse range of family-friendly workshops alongside exhibitions in collaboration with artists. In recent months, we have produced Pay As You Feel family workshops in Game Boy Camera Photography, Field Recording, Experimental Music and Selfie Choreography. These workshops invite participants of all ages to experiment, learn new skills, and engage with art in playful, interactive ways. Intergenerational collaboration is encouraged.
See our Whats On page for a list of upcoming workshops
Concerteenies
Concerteenies presents high-quality live music events for children (0-7 year-olds) and their families in and around Sheffield. A regular collaborator with Site Gallery, Concerteenies has produced multiple series of concerts within the gallery space. These performances not only introduce children to a wide range of musical styles but also provide a relaxed environment where families can enjoy art and music together.