Working with the Cultural Sector

Arpeggio Films has developed an impressive track record working with museums, galleries and historical sites to create engaging film and digital media. 

We work closely in partnership with venues and organisations to create narrative work that enhances the visitor experience and enables audiences to creatively interpret exhibits, art and artefacts. Our clients include Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, the National Trust, Strathnaver Museum & Seven Stories: the National Centre for Childrens' Books. Our work has been exhibited at museums and galleries across the UK, including Newcastle Discovery, Laing Art Gallery and Tate Britain.

Our work ranges from high production-value period drama, to participatory projects engaging underrepresented groups. We also produce documentaries for educational, promotional and advocacy purposes, and films of events, talks and presentations.

Iain Watson, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums says:
“Arpeggio Films has developed an impressive track record of working collaboratively with our museums, galleries and the communities they serve to produce engaging film and media. The results have enhanced our exhibitions, and helped us involve our audiences in exciting and creative ways.”

A film made in partnership with the National Trust, and produced collaboratively with young people, has been selected to screen to millions on giant screens at the London Olympics. Click here to read more.

Click through the clips above to view examples of our work.

Examples of our projects with the cultural sector include:

SIEGE AND STORM - Working with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Discovery Museum, English Heritage

This period drama, filmed on location at English Heritage's Aydon Castle, tells the story of the last few days of the Siege of Newcastle in 1644. It's the height of the English Civil War and Newcastle is beseiged by a Scottish Army loyal to Cromwell's parliamentarians, however the town's Royalist mayor refuses to surrender.

Siege and Storm was exhibited to audiences of 80,000 at Discovery Museum, Newcastle between February and October 2011 and at Newcastle's historic Castle Keep as part of the Late Shows. You can view both an extract and the full version above, or click here to see Siege and Storm Interactive Teaser

“Arpeggio Films pulled out all the stops and worked to a very tight timetable to produce a visually stunning piece of work that immerses people in civil war-era Newcastle. It's a gripping film - beautifully produced, that enhances the whole visitor experience.”
Adam Goldwater, Tyne and Wear Museums


LAST - Working with Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Laing Art Gallery, Great British Art Debate, Tate

Working collaboratively with young people from Newcastle, LAST is an interpretation of John Martin's painting "The Last Man". The young people worked with Arpeggio Films to investigate his apocalyptic vision, exploring what regrets "The Last Man" might possess. The result is this poetic piece of work, which was exhibited on a giant screen at the Laing Art Gallery for three months, played at Tyneside Cinema as a short before features and went on to screen to hundreds at TATE Britain as part of their John Martin Beyond Apocalypse event. Click here to read more

“Arpeggio Films worked inclusively with a group of young people from a variety of backgrounds to produce a high quality and impressive piece of work we were proud to exhibit”
Zoe Allen, Laing Art Gallery


MUSEUMS & DIVERSITY - Working with the North East Regional Museums Hub

The North East Regional Museums Hub commissioned Arpeggio Films to make a documentary about its programme of diversity arts projects taking place in museums across the North East. The film will be used to encourage other museums in the region to run similar programmes, and showcases museums as centres for cross cultural understanding.

”We were impressed with the professionalism and quality of Arpeggio’s work, and their ability to integrate with our staff to ensure that the production of the film was an enjoyable and positive experience for all.”
Bill Griffiths, North East Regional Museums Hub

You can view both an extract and the full version of Museums and Diversity in the viewing box above.

TOO MANY COOKS - Working with National Trust

Too Many Cooks was a short period drama, inspired by events that occured at the National Trust's Washington Old Hall over 700 years ago. Produced in partnership with young people, and screened on US television, the film focusses on King Edward I visit in 1304 when he and his army were returning from their campaign in Scotland.

Clips and full versions from our most recent work can be viewed above.

We are keen to work in partnership with you to make projects happen, so even if you are at a very early stage in your project we’d love to hear from you!