Founded in 2003, 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 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.
Queer the City
How can we create a visible and safe future for LGBTQIA people in Liverpool? Since 2020, our Queer the City project has brought LGBTQIA arts and culture into the mainstream. Our art installations in prominent places around Liverpool have been seen by over half a million people and our pop-up performances and podcasts have look at the city through fresh (queer) eyes.
QueerCore
Homotopia’s artist development programme for emerging artists based in the Liverpool City Region. The individuals and groups on the programme receive funding, advice, peer support and industry support on their specific projects, over the course of 12 months. The programme has been described as “life changing” by alumni.
Homotopia Presents
We’re more than just a festival, Homotopia supports queer art all year round! Our projects include podcasts to cabaret nights to major exhibitions. We’ve partnered with some of Liverpool’s most exciting creative organisations, such as National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool Light Night (Open Culture) and LUSH Liverpool.
Young Homotopia
We’re nurturing the next generation of queer creatives and audience members through our work with LGBTQIA young people aged 16 – 24 years old. Led by Homotopia’s Associate Artist Ashleigh Owen, Young Homotopia has performed at the Unity Theatre and event the main stage at Liverpool Pride. This is a partnership project with YPAS – GYRO.
Supported by Homotopia
We add value to queer arts projects led by and for LGBTQIA people, working in collaboration with other organisations and artists to support development and reach. Fabulous creative collabs have included events, commissions, public murals, plus additional funding, support and opportunities for LGBTQIA artists.
Homotopia Festival
The UK’s longest running LGBTQIA arts and cultural festival, for nearly 20 years, we’ve welcomed the most exciting names in LGBTQIA art to Liverpool. Headliners have included John Waters, Armistead Maupin, Jinkx Monsoon, Boy George, April Ashley, and Maggi Hambling but we always platform the most exciting homegrown talent too.