Site-Specific WE'RE HERE BECAUSE WE'RE HERE Nominated for National Lottery Awards 2017

'We're here because we're here', the modern memorial to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Artistic Director of the National Theatre, has been nominated for a prestigious National Lottery Award.

'We're here because we're here' left a lasting impression on millions of people in the UK and humanised the great loss of life in the First World War.

The public are invited to vote for We're here because we're here', which is nominated for the "Best Heritage Project" award. The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects. The winners are decided by public vote.

The National Theatre was one of 26 organisations across the UK who collaborated on the project with 14-18 NOW - the UK's arts programme for the First World War centenary. We're here because we're here saw nearly 1400 voluntary participants dressed in First World War uniform appear unexpectedly in locations across the UK. The work was experienced by over 30 million people.

To vote, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.

Jenny Waldman said: "I am delighted that this powerful artwork has been nominated for a National Lottery Award. I would like to thank the artists and creative team, the 26 theatres and hundreds of volunteers who made the event possible. The work was a moving tribute to the men who died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme and had a profound impact on those who saw it."

The National Theatre is also currently celebrating 'We're here because we're here', with a unique exhibition presented by original project collaborators 14-18 NOW and the National Theatre. Multi award-winning 'We're here because we're here' took place on 1 July 2016 when more than 1400 voluntary participants in First World War uniform appeared unexpectedly in locations across the UK. The participants were a reminder of the 19,240 men who were killed on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Each participant represented an individual soldier who was killed on that day.

The soldiers, dressed in historically accurate uniforms, did not speak, but at points throughout the day would sing the song 'We're Here Because We're Here', which was sung in the trenches during the First World War. They handed out cards to members of the public with the name and regiment of the soldier they represented, and, where known, the age of the soldier when he died on 1 July 1916.

The exhibition tells the story of the project through images of the volunteers from across the UK. This was the first time so many theatres have worked together on a UK-wide participation project, making it the largest arts participation project ever staged in the country.

Rufus Norris, Artistic Director of the National Theatre, said: "This work by Jeremy Deller was a truly national piece of theatre and a powerful way to remember the men who went off to fight 100 years ago. I also hope it will serve as a catalyst to strengthen ties with theatres and communities across the UK."

we're here because we're here volunteer Adam Lily said: "Participating in this brilliant nationwide project was transformative for me. I have made lifelong friends with many of the other volunteer participants and gained deeper insight into life in the trenches during the First World War. Our respect for the soldiers only increased during this project."

IF YOU GO:

'We're here because we're here'

The story of Jeremy Deller's Modern Memorial

we're here because we're here, a free exhibition can be seen at the National Theatre, in the Wolfson Gallery from June 2nd - 31 August 2017. Open from Monday to Saturday. For more information, go to www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/exhibitions.

'We're here because we're here' was commissioned by 14-18 NOW, and conceived and created by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre.

We're here because we're here was produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the National Theatre, working in close collaboration with partners including: Lyric Theatre Belfast, National Theatre of Scotland, National Theatre Wales, Northern Stage, Playhouse Derry-Londonderry, Salisbury Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

The project was supported by: Aberystwyth Arts Centre, The Belgrade Theatre, Birmingham Metropolitan Academy of Performing Arts, Bolton Octagon, Bristol Old Vic, Storyhouse, Left Coast, Leicester Curve, Nuffield Theatre, Oldham Coliseum, Pontio, Shetland Arts, Sutton Coldfield College, The Garrick Lichfield and Volcano.

'We're here because we're here' was made possible by an Ambition for Excellence Award from Arts Council England and by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Creative Scotland and Art Fund. 14-18 NOW is principally funded by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, and by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Images presented in the show are taken by the public. Images are courtesy of the artist. Professional images courtesy of Mark Carline, Joel Chester Fildes, Eoin Carey, Mark Douet, Andrew Fox, Johnny Frazer, Adrian Harris, Steve Haywood, Robyn Hayes, Ruth Knowles, Ellie Kurttz, Dimitris Legakis, Luke MacGregor, Topher McGrillis, Iolo Penri, Joe Priestley, Paul Riddell.

The National Theatre is dedicated to making the very best theatre and sharing it with as many people as possible. We produce productions on the South Bank in London each year, ranging from re-imagined classics to modern masterpieces and new work by contemporary writers and theatre-makers. The National's work is seen on tour throughout the UK, in London's West End, internationally (including on Broadway) and in collaborations and co-productions with theatres across the country.

Across 2015-2016, the NT staged 34 productions and gave 3,134 performances in the UK and internationally. The NT's award-winning programme had a UK audience of 2.5 million, 700,000 of which were NT Live audiences.

The Clore Learning Centre at the NT is committed to providing programmes for schools, young people, families, community groups and adult learners, including the nationwide youth theatre festival Connections and playwriting competition New Views. In 2015-2016, we engaged with over 181,000 participants through the NT Learning events programme. Further, over 2,200 secondary schools have signed up to the free streaming service, On Demand. In Schools since its launch in September 2015. Visit nationaltheatre.org.uk for more.

14-18 NOW is a programme of extraordinary arts experiences connecting people with the First World War, as part of the UK's official centenary commemorations. It commissions new work by leading contemporary artists from all art forms. The commemorative period is marked by three key seasons - Anniversary of the Declaration of War in 2014, the anniversary of the Battle of Jutland and the Battle of the Somme in 2016, and the centenary of Armistice Day in 2018. 14-18 NOW is responsible for the UK tour of the iconic poppy sculptures by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper, and 'We're here because we're here' by Jeremy Deller in collaboration with Rufus Norris.

14 -18 NOW is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and by additional fundraising. 14-18 NOW has commissioned over 140 artworks to date that have been seen by more than 30 million people.

Photo Credit: Ellie Kurttz

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