Local Stories

Local Stories brings together the voices and lived experiences of communities in Sandwell, creating work that is deeply rooted in the place where we are, but also resonates beyond the local. Through major commissions, collaborative projects and a growing living archive, this work uncovers overlooked histories, celebrates resilience and reflects the everyday joys and challenges that shape life here. This work often takes place over a long period of time, allowing time and space for relationships and ideas to grow and develop organically.

This programme strand has been at the core of our work since Multistory’s beginnings, bringing together multiple voices and stories to navigate the layered narratives of life in the Black Country. Our projects dive deep into a multitude of themes: from ideas of home and identity to critical examinations of our changing physical landscape. We explore everything from the evolution of the high street and the erosion of third spaces to the quiet power of everyday resistance and models of activism.

Through collaborative making, communities shape their own narratives. Placing local experience within a wider cultural landscape, these projects can show how storytelling can carry Sandwell’s stories into broader conversations while remaining grounded in the people who live them.