3 – 11 September 2022 | #HistoryWeek2022
The HCNSW has chosen to go with the theme ‘Hands-on History’ which was suggested by Dr Kiera Lindsey for our History Week 2022 Theme Suggestion Competition.
We thank all who participated in our History Week 2022 Theme Competition. There were a variety of exceptional and diverse theme suggestions from our members.
What type of events can be staged in History Week 2022?
For History Week 2022 we invite you to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty!
History doesn’t only happen in archives, libraries and books. Very often we need to go out in the field and get hands-on to connect with different sources, stories and audiences. Hands-on History invites you to explore histories by or about people who do things with their hands, whether that is for work or play.
You may also like to creatively consider how you use your hands to do history; be that digging up artefacts, uncovering archives, restoring precious and everyday objects, curating exhibitions, writing and drawing, sewing, painting, even making music or a film or podcast!
We want you to re-think Hands-on History and present your ideas in History Week 2022.
ONLINE/IN-PERSON: These ideas can be online or in-person events. As we saw in 2020/2021, our members embraced online event production, in many cases increasing their audiences way beyond their expectations. If you want further information about how you can stage your event online, please visit our History Week Online page which provides a wealth of information. You can also check out our History Week 2020 Report, which can be accessed via the button at the top of this page.
For all inquiries about History Week 2022, please contact programs@historycouncilnsw.org.au
What is History Week?
History Week is the annual, state-wide celebration of History organised by the History Council of New South Wales.
What happens in History Week?
Members apply through the HCNSW to host History events relating to the annual theme. Previous events have included talks and lectures, ‘behind the scene tours’ and heritage trails, exhibitions and radio features, film festivals, open historic houses and gardens, book sales and launches. Overall, there will be close to 100 events being staged throughout NSW in History Week 2022.
In 2022, History Week will be launched on Friday 2 September at the NSW Premier’s History Awards, an event run in partnership with the State Library of NSW, with other History Week events commencing on Saturday 3 September.
A further feature event of History Week is the Annual History Lecture planned for the night of 9 September 2022 in the Central West town of Orange (more news to follow!). A list of past Annual History Lectures can be found here.
How can members be involved in History Week 2022?
You and your organisation can take advantage of the week and promote your organisation by hosting an event that you create, by hosting a History speaker through our Speaker Connect program and/or attending the NSW Premier’s History Awards at the State Library of NSW and the History Council’s Annual History Lecture. Your event will form part of the HCNSW’s media campaign and be promoted in the History Week 2022 Program Calendar on our website. If you record your event, we will also feature it on our YouTube channel.
Online solutions for events
There is no one type of mode that will suit all History Week events, but here are a few suggestions. They can be online or in-person, depending on your choice. We are happy to discuss options with you and provide information to help you achieve your goals if you contact us.
- In-person presentations or webinars of presentations via Zoom by or with local historians and/or those supplied to you through our Speaker Connect Program (1 hour suggested duration)
- Recordings of performers that can then be streamed from your website and/or ours
- In-person attendances or videos of exhibitions streamed from your website and/ours
- Webinar discussions with historians in a sister city anywhere else in the world
- Locally produced videos about Museums and their artifacts that tell local history
- Oral Histories, recorded and uploaded to your/our website, along with photographs
History Week events are open to public audiences. However, all organisations or individuals wishing to host a History Week event or take part in the History Week Speaker Connect program must be current members of the History Council of NSW. The History Council relies on the financial support of its members to deliver its annual programs.
Further questions about History Week 2022?
More information is available through our frequently asked questions to the right, or contact us at programs@historycouncilnsw.org.au.
Do I have to be a History Council member to participate?
History Week events are open to public audiences. However, all organisations or individuals wishing to host a History Week event or take part in the History Week Speaker Connect program must be current members of the History Council of NSW. The History Council relies on the financial support of its members to deliver its annual programs. Apply to become a member here.
What makes a successful History Week event?
Successful History Week events:
- relate to or incorporate the History Week annual theme
- select a running time most appropriate for the target audience (for example, many students, full-time workers and young people are unable to attend events scheduled during the day. We advise hosts to consider running an event outside of regular office hours to attract wider audiences)
- select a format most appropriate for the target audience (for example a lecture, exhibition, interactive experience, online/in-person, etc)
- are well and consistently promoted at least one month in advance and across a variety of channels, in addition to the History Council of NSW’s online channels
- have a clear, concise and engaging event description, along with an eye-catching and relevant feature image, which entices audiences to attend
- include clear instructions on how attendees can book or register for the event, whether this be through an online booking system, or via a contact email or phone number.
What is the History Week event registration process?
All registrations must be made via the online form via the registration button on this page.
Do you have a media pack and guide?
We have made a media pack available for our host organisations to assist in publicity. Download our logo, publicity guide and media release template below. Theme-specific artwork has also been added to the page and can be downloaded for the promotion of member events via the buttons above (History Week webpage banner, and social media tiles).
HCNSW logo (jpeg 62kb)
Publicity guide (pdf 172kb)
Please contact us at programs@historycouncilnsw.org.au for assistance.
How does the Speaker Connect program fit into History Week?
The Speaker Connect program is run all year round. During History Week, we encourage Speakers to apply to give a presentation focused on the annual History Week theme. Applications for Speaker Connect are via the web form on that page.
Contact Us