Founded in 2004, Homotopia is a Liverpool based arts & social justice organisation making a cultural impact through art and activism.
Our aim is to support and platform local, national and international LGBTQIA socially engaged artists and creatives.
Every October/November we present Homotopia Festival , featuring a variety of LGBTQIA art across multiple venues and outdoor spaces in the city. In addition to our festival, we have a year-round programme of artist development, public artworks and events.
Homotopia Festival is the UK’s longest running LGBTQIA arts and culture festival, In 2012 we became one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations, and at the time, were the only dedicated LGBTQIA arts organisation to be recognised in this way. In the years that have followed Homotopia has achieved significant growth and development and we take pride in being at the forefront of combining creativity and social change for and in collaboration with our ever-expanding community.
Investing in the future of inspiring, challenging and diverse art is at the forefront of our drive as a cultural organisation in the city. Here are the different ways, alongside our festival, that we’re making an impact on local and national LGBTQIA culture and community.
QueerCore
Homotopia’s formal artist development programme for mixed art, literary, performance and visual artists based in the Liverpool City Region. The individuals and groups on the programme receive funding, advice and support in their specific projects over the course of 12 months.
Homotopia Presents
Projects and works of art that we support all year round outside of our festival programme, ranging from podcasts to major exhibition’s such as April Ashley: Portrait of a lady, showcasing her story as a model, actress and one of the first people in the world to undergo pioneering gender reassignment surgery, in partnership with the Museum of Liverpool.
Young Homotopia
Apartnership project Homotopia runs with GYRO, running workshops, rehearsals and performances for a creative collective of young LGBTQIA people who are interested in self-expression through creativity and performance. Led by Associate Artist Ashleigh Owen, and a number of visiting practitioners, the performances taking place during the festival and on occasion, during the year.
Creative work tends to be devised by the group, and use lots of elements of queer performance including cabaret, comedy, music and drag.
Supported by Homotopia
We work in collaboration with other organisations and artists to support them further with their development and reach. This ranges from events, public murals and specific funding and support opportunities’ for LGBTQIA artists.
Homotopia Festival
For nearly 20 years we have welcomed the best known and most exciting new names in LGBT+ art, theatre, dance and music to our festival. In previous years we’ve welcomed international stars including John Waters, Armistead Maupin, Jinkx Monsoon, Boy George, April Ashley and Maggi Hambling to name just a few.
Not everyone has equal access to art, being an artist or becoming part of a creative community. At Homotopia we work with artists and creatives that are on the margins or excluded from mainstream settings, showcasing work that is engaging, challenging and inspiring.