Sally Lockey #RUOSTURNS10
Tell us how you are involved in the project? Tell us about your experience.
I'm Project Director for Right Up Our Street. I'm originally from Doncaster, but moved away for University in 1997. I spent 15 years living, studying and working in Newcastle upon Tyne, where I then worked for various arts organisations including, Arts Council North East (Development) Sunderland University (The Department for Education and Learning), Creative People and Places (Arts Education Programme) The Great Run Company (within the culture team), always within engagement, and more often than not educational work.
My husband and I had thought about moving back to Doncaster for a few years, as we are both from the area and have family here, and I remember seeing that Doncaster had been awarded the Creative People and Places fund. My first thought was, if we ever move back home, that's the job for me.
The art scene in Doncaster shaped how both of us progressed in our careers, without the creative scene here and the experiences Doncaster College (Church View and High Melton) offered us, neither of us would have achieved what we have. So I suppose it was serendipitous that when we moved home in 2016 a part-time post became available. Over the past 6 years the post has become both full time and permanent, delivering projects I am proud to have been a part of, I guess it feels like the perfect opportunity to give back to the community that gave me so much. I feel very fortunate and privileged to be in this role.
What was the most memorable RUOS moment?
Oh that's a tough one. There are many, and normally it's the moments where people have felt included, or giving someone a moment of joy or increasing their sense of self-worth. I know everyone will say the Museum of the Moon, but for me that was pretty special too. Gaining a work/life balance when you're the parent of 3 children is hard, but when your youngest child tells you that it's okay that you're busy, because you've brought the moon to Doncaster, seeing the pride in her face made that so worthwhile.
Has your involvement in the project changed your approach to working in the arts?
I've worked in the arts for a long time, but this project has impacted me because it's allowed me to work and develop projects for my community. In order to do our job, we have to be passionate about an area, to understand the need and really want to listen to the people who live here....the Donny accent helps with that! A lot of what we do is shaped by those people, and that's not always easy. Some people's voices are louder than others and expectations can be very high. I think what I've learnt is that there are different ways of listening, reaching out and interpreting what we're being told. We're a team of three people, so I've learnt that in order to deliver to the best of our abilities we need to manage what's possible and really take our time to get each project right. Time is the most important element, we now make a point of not moving on to the next project before we've really celebrated the achievements of those we've worked with and what they've made possible.
How has your involvement in the project affected your understanding of the arts?
It's certainly underlined elements for me. A community arts project is so much more than learning a new skill, meeting like-minded people or seeing something that moves you or changes your perception of the world. It can and should affect your sense of self-worth, your understanding of what's possible and ultimately increased pride of place.
In your opinion, how does having a project like Right Up Our Street benefit the borough of Doncaster?
The project allows us to do many things for the Community of Doncaster, but my favourite thing is its ability to hold a mirror up to itself. Projects like this year's DN Festival of Light will be a reminder of who we are as a community, what we've achieved and celebrate the way we are changing, growing and becoming more than just our heritage...because of it and in spite of it. It also shows the world what we are capable of achieving.
