Innovative collaboration across nine library services in England
First of its kind programme to enhance digital engagement and accessibility
In association with Arts Council England and the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, The Space is pleased to announce the launch of Digital Spaces, an ambitious new programme, designed to transform the way communities interact with digital creativity. Launching in 2025, this programme aims to maximise opportunities to help local libraries inspire, connect, and innovate.
This forward-thinking initiative will deliver an array of digital experiences in libraries, ranging from awe-inspiring VR showcases and hands-on immersive filmmaking community masterclasses to funding opportunities for creating new digital content.
At its heart, Digital Spaces is a collaboration among nine library services — Bradford, Cambridgeshire, Coventry, Leeds, Manchester, Newham, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, and Sunderland —which will establish a new Libraries Digital Network. This groundbreaking network is the first of its kind, blending local relevance with national impact. It is designed to empower local communities, supported by comprehensive training for library staff to guide users through exciting digital journeys.
Programme Highlights
The 18-month multi-strand programme will feature:
National Curated VR Tour 2025 – Watch VR experiences in local libraries
Thanks to funding from the BFI through the National Lottery, an exciting VR tour will visit all nine library services twice during the year, starting in Coventry on 24 January 2025.
Delivered by project partners Virtual Umbrella, it will showcase a rich collection of VR titles designed to captivate a wide audience, including:
Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway: A narrative VR experience for MetaQuest, allowing fans to join a new immersive adventure with much-loved animation characters Wallace and Gromit.
The Philharmonia’s Lark Ascending: A spellbinding 360 performance by Philharmonia of Vaughan Williams’s beloved piece, featuring Nicola Benedetti.
Monoliths: An immersive XR experience by Pilot Theatre and One to One Development Trust, exploring England’s northern landscape through the voices of three women.
With more titles still to be confirmed
Nine New Digital R&D Commissions – Funding and support to create new content
Partnering with local communities, The Space will support the creation of innovative digital projects tailored to each of the nine participating library services.
Immersive Filmmaking Community Masterclasses
Through immersive filmmaking workshops led by Neon 8, priority communities in six library locations will learn the art of 180-degree film production, empowering them to tell their own stories using cutting-edge technology.
Digital Training and Support
The Space will provide digital training, partnership development, and offer ongoing support to over 100 library staff members via the Libraries Digital Network
Building on Proven Success
Digital Spaces builds on the success of Coventry Libraries’ Digital Spaces Pilot Programme (2020-2021), which brought communities, artists, and creative practitioners together to expand the library services’ digital and cultural offerings. It provided opportunities for people of different backgrounds, interests, experiences, and ages to explore the creative possibilities of technology, art, and culture.
“Libraries play a vital role in society so we’re delighted to embark upon this programme which will turbocharge the library offering and provide an abundance of digital creative opportunities for communities. We intend Digital Spaces in Libraries to be a catalyst for culture, creativity and innovation within libraries, enriching the lives of local communities by inspiring people to explore the creative possibilities of technology, art and culture.”
Fiona Morris, CEO and Creative Director of The Space
“Coventry Libraries were thrilled to deliver Digital Spaces in 2021 – a groundbreaking programme aimed to test the idea that a Public Library could be a new home for accessible Digital Culture by attracting audiences that would not normally have the opportunity to access digital immersive experiences. We are now excited to expand this premise with eight other Library Services to establish the Libraries Digital Network and offer new audiences even more ways to engage with digital creative experiences.
Dave Lloyd, Service Development Manager, Coventry Libraries and Information Services
The BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund aims to break down barriers for audiences right across the UK to access a diverse range of screen culture. We are delighted to support this project, which is a great example of how, driven by demand from the library services themselves, new, young and diverse audiences can engage in a programme of VR and immersive work in their local communities. The BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund aims to break down barriers for audiences right across the UK to access a diverse range of screen culture. We are delighted to support this project, which is a great example of how, driven by demand from the library services themselves, new, young and diverse audiences can engage in a programme of VR and immersive work in their local communities.
Sarah-Jane Meredith, Senior Manager – National Lottery Audiences Projects, Corporate & Industry Affairs, BFI
Libraries are central to bringing culture and creativity to local communities and the Digital Spaces programme is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate what modern library services can offer. We are delighted to support The Space with their work in broadening access to digital creativity as they build on their successful pilot scheme in Coventry.
Luke Burton, Director, Libraries at Arts Council England
Programme Partners
BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund
The BFI Audience Projects Fund will invest £15m of National Lottery funding over three years to support ambitious, audience-facing activity of national scale that celebrates and showcases independent UK and international film and XR work. It will support projects that seek to expand access and encourage greater enjoyment of cinema by connecting audiences that are representative of the UK population with great films – in venues, at events and online.
About the BFI
The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image.
Our mission is:
- To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
- To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive.
- To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals – delivered online and in venue
- To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
- To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industrie
Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.
The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Jay Hunt.
Virtual Umbrella
Virtual Umbrella helps organisations unlock the commercial and creative potential of immersive technology. With deep industry knowledge and a hands-on approach, we provide expert support across creative, technical, and project delivery, ensuring our clients thrive in the immersive space.
Neon 8
Neon8 is an award-winning, multimedia production company based just outside of Edinburgh. They create engaging films and immersive VR experiences, specialising in 3D VR180 film and interactive content. At their core is husband and wife team, Kelman Greig-Kicks (Creative Director) & Gemma Greig-Kicks (Creative Producer), supported by a network of highly-skilled professionals across the arts, film and burgeoning XR landscape. They work with a wide range of partners and clients across the UK in the tech industry, performing arts and third sector organisations mainly around social justice and children & young people. Recent clients are: The Space CIC (Digital Spaces Project), Hearts & Minds & Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Dundee Rep, Biffa, Alpha Data, Children 1st, Live Music Now, Scottish AI Alliance.
