The high street has undergone much change over the years but it remains a symbol of British life, reflecting the socio-economic environment while maintaining a strong place in the hearts of consumers. To capture what makes the UK high street so special, Historic England and Photoworks have launched the ‘Picturing High Streets’ national photography competition, a year-long project that will see fortnightly photographic challenges encouraging the public to participate. 

Over the next 12 months, people are encouraged to respond to a fortnightly challenge that uncovers the secret life of the high street, posting their own photographs on Instagram using #PicturingHighStreets.

From celebrating local heroes that make the high street special, capturing favourite hangouts and meeting places, to recording hidden heritage, the best photographs will be featured on the Picturing High Streets Instagram channel.   

“High streets are at the heart of communities. We know their future feels uncertain and high streets are facing a pivotal moment in their long history. It’s time to get out there, rediscover our high streets, and tell the stories behind the shopfronts.”  added Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England.

This year the competition will be supported by Clear Channel UK, which will be showcasing winning entries across its digital Out of Home sites as part of a wider national outdoor exhibition. A selection of photographs submitted before 21 December 2022 will form a national outdoor exhibition opening in Spring 2023. These photographs will also enter the Historic England Archive, the nation’s archive for England’s historic buildings, archaeology and social history.  

To help decide which photographs will make the cut, designer and retail expert Wayne Hemingway will join artist Camille Walala, Ben Hope, Marketing Director at Clear Channel and Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England as judges to help choose the winning images to go into the national touring exhibition.

The project is part of a three-year commission creating a contemporary picture of England’s high streets as part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone Cultural Programme, the largest ever community-led arts and heritage programme. The programme is part of the £95 million government-funded High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme, aiming to breathe new life into over 60 high streets across England.

To find out more about the competition or get involved, follow @PicturingHighStreets on Instagram and post your pictures using #PicturingHighStreets