Thinking about starting your own archive?
Get to know the key areas to consider when setting up an archive. See examples of a range of archives and learn how archives have changed since the advent of the digital age.
Course Format
Over six weeks, this practical course explores what it means to archive material today — working with physical and/or digital material.
- Course leader Kathryn Tollervey starts by exploring the need for an archive and who it is for.
- Then we look at the processes of digitisation and preservation for both digital and physical material.
- This is followed by a discussion on the digital solutions best for different types of collections as well as guidelines on cataloguing and metadata.
- Throughout the course we focus on access and legacy of the archive.
Taking place weekly on Zoom, sessions include a blend of lectures and guest speaker presentations. Participants are provided with lecture slides and a list of resources for further study.
Who is this for?
Open to all, especially those who have inherited/been given a collection of materials and/or photographers who are interested in starting the process of archiving their material, whether of personal value or historical public interest.
Guest speakers
Coming soon.
Week One: Introduction on Tue 15 Sep, 18.30–20.00 BST
An overview of the course and an exploration of the history and changing forms of archives.
Week Two: Legacy on Tue 22 Sep, 18.30–20.00 BST
Why is there a need for an archive and who it is for? Any copyright implications and future possible contexts in how collections could be used.
Week Three: Access on Tue 29 Sep, 18.30–20.00 BST
How to make archives available to different audiences and how to promote your archive. Introducing the use of open access and community involvement to increase reach and build stronger stories within archives.
Week Four: Physical Preservation and Storage on Tue 6 Oct, 18.30–20.00 BST
Introduction to different solutions & considerations for both digital and physical material.
Week Five: Digitisation and Born Digital on Tue 13 Oct, 18.30–20.00 BST
Introducing the debate on whether to digitise collections, in full or part. Practical guidelines in finding a suitable affordable platform and storing of digital assets.
Week Six: Cataloguing and Meta Data on Tue 20 Oct, 18.30–20.00 BST
An introduction and practical guidelines.
Biography
Kathryn Tollervey
Kathryn Tollervey is Archivist at The Photographers’ Gallery. She has twenty years’ experience working in photographic archives such as Foster + Partners (Norman Foster’s architectural studio, London) photographic & special collections archive, the Victorian high street photographer Edward Reeves’ Archive (Lewes) and the archives of celebrated American-photographer Lee Miller (Chiddingly).
Bursaries
A number of partial bursaries covering 50 per cent of course fees will be awarded on a first come basis. Applicants who wish to be considered for a partial bursary should submit a statement (max. 500 words) to projects@tpg.org.uk, outlining how Starting an Archive would contribute to their professional development. Applications open from June 2026; successful applicants will be notified within a week of submission.
We actively encourage applications from groups who are currently underrepresented in the cultural sector in the UK. This includes people who identify as D/deaf, disabled* and neurodivergent; those with caring responsibilities; candidates from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds; and arts and culture professionals desiring career development, prioritising independent artists, freelancers and those made redundant/at risk of redundancy since 2020.
*The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment, and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Sharing that you are disabled will not be used in any way in judging the quality of your application.
Ticketing
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