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NYT Digital Archive Platform: Public Tender Announcement

Posted 28 Apr 2026

Today, we are pleased to announce a public tender for the design and development of a permanent digital archive platform that will bring our history to life and carry it forward into the future.

Building a Living Archive

This platform will be a dynamic, community-driven space where past and present members can explore, contribute to, and shape the story of NYT.

We’re looking to create a digital platform where:

  • Archive materials from photographs and videos to documents and audio can be explored and celebrated

  • Alumni and participants can upload and share their own stories and artefacts

  • Audiences can engage through comments, reactions, and shared experiences

  • Curated collections can spotlight defining moments, themes, and voices across our history

Why This Matters

For seven decades, NYT has been a home for creativity, collaboration, and opportunity. This project will:

  • Strengthen connections with our 15,000+ young people and alumni community

  • Preserve vital theatre heritage

  • Amplify the voices and experiences that define NYT’s impact

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a partner to design and build a platform that is:

  • Visually engaging and intuitive

  • Mobile-first and accessible

  • Integrated with our existing digital systems

  • Scalable, sustainable, and easy to manage

The platform should support:

  • User submissions and moderation workflows

  • Searchable, filterable archive galleries

  • Editorial and curated storytelling spaces

  • Community interaction features

Key Details

  • Budget: £20,000 – £25,000 exclusive of VAT

  • Timeline:

    • Design: June 2026

    • Development: July – September 2026

    • Launch: September 2026

  • Submission Deadline: 21st May 2026

Who Should Apply

We welcome proposals from agencies and teams with:

  • Experience in digital archives, cultural platforms, or storytelling products

  • A strong approach to user experience and accessibility

  • A passion for community-led design

Be Part of the Next Chapter

This is an opportunity to help shape how one of the UK’s leading arts organisations remembers its past and imagines its future.

If you’re interested in working with us, we’d love to hear from you.

Full tender details are available in the official document. Please submit your proposal to digitalproducer@nyt.org.uk by 21st May 2026.

NYT Digital Platform Brief

Storytellers Start Here is a project bringing our archive of 70 years to life for a new generation and celebrating the impact of National Youth Theatre on the thousands of young lives it has supported.

We’re grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support of Storytellers Start Here.