JOY LAB: Inventing for Happiness
Across Sunderland, South Tyneside and beyond, participants are being encouraged to dream up playful inventions that make everyday life feel a little better - whether that’s something that raises a smile, helps with a small frustration, or adds a spark of joy to an ordinary moment.
The project builds on an idea first explored a decade ago, when artist and inventor Dominic Wilcox worked with children in Sunderland and South Tyneside to imagine their own inventions. Some of those ideas were later brought to life by professional makers, leading to the creation of Little Inventors - a project that has since inspired young people across the world, even reaching the International Space Station.
Now, ten years on, JOY LAB opens that invitation wider than ever, welcoming people of all ages to take part and share their ideas.
A programme of workshops and events is taking place across the region, giving participants the chance to explore imagination, creativity and kindness through invention. Alongside this, anyone can take part by submitting their ideas online.
From the ideas collected, a selection will be chosen to be brought to life by professional makers, artists and creators, turning drawings into physical objects, models or animations.
These realised inventions will be presented in a public exhibition, celebrating the humour, imagination and creativity of people across the region.
Together, they will form a collection of inventions that aren’t about solving the world’s biggest challenges - but about making everyday life a little lighter, kinder and more joyful.
JOY LAB is a project by Tomorrow Projects, from the team behind Little Inventors.
The project is supported using public funding by Arts Council England, alongside South Tyneside Council, The Cultural Spring, and the University of Sunderland.