Since 2020, Collecting Otherwise, initiated by the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, has explored how archives and their policies shape institutional memory, urban history, and public heritage, challenging the idea that heritage is “neutral”. It aims to change institutional culture to recognise and champion under-represented roles, practices, and perspectives in archives. Besides rethinking archival practices in case studies from the National Collection, the project addresses annual themes on collecting and develops collaborative tools. The manuals invite engagement with these tools to support reparative archival work and deepen reflections on the responsibilities of memory.
