Learning and participation at LIFT is driven by an educational philosophy which seeks to bring together artists, educators and people from diverse backgrounds in a spirit of collaboration, open enquiry and curiosity.

At the core of LIFT's participation philosophy is a belief that high quality engagement with innovative theatre and performance can empower people to explore and fulfil their own creative potential.

To support this core objective, and to ensure that a wide cross-section of users actively engage with the LIFT Living Archive in the long term, a range of innovative participation methods are being developed.

During stage 1 (November 2005 – May 2006) a ‘Learning Maps’ workshop model was piloted with further education students. LIFT Living Archive materials were used to engage the students and generate performance-based responses.

In stage 2 (June 2007 – March 2009) a group of students from the MA Applied Drama: Theatre in Educational, Community & Social Contexts programme at Goldsmiths, University of London will collaborate with LIFT and local school and community groups to develop exploratory and investigative approaches to engaging with the LIFT Living Archive.

The results of these projects will be written up as case studies and published on the LIFT Living Archive website in July 2009.