Cultural organisations
Cultural organisations
This section contains information about organisations that celebrate or bring alive the voices of and contribution made by refugees. It is not complete – please let us know about other organisations you are involved in or you know about and we’ll make sure we include them. Send details to info@testimonyproject.org.
This section covers the following categories;
-Nation-wide
-Manchester
-Birmingham
-Nottingham
-Leicester
-Glasgow
Nation-wide
Refugee Week
‘Celebrating sanctuary’ takes place for one week every year – usually in June – and is dedicated to a celebration of refugees’ contribution to UK society through film, music, literature and meetings. Check out this site for regional contacts and information. www.refugeeweek.org.uk/
Emails can be sent through the ‘Contact’ section on the website.
Belonging: Voices of London’s Refugees
Following a very successful exhibition at the Museum of London a few years ago, this website contains the personal stories of refugees who live in London – what it’s like being a refugee, what it means to belong. For more information visit the website, no other contact details are available.
IceandFire
Iceandfire explores human rights stories through performance, using theatre to communicate key issues many of which relate to abuses within the asylum system and the plight of refugees. In collaboration with Actors for Human Rights, their powerful recent productions include Asylum Monologues, Asylum Dialogues and Rendition Monologues.
Toynbee hall, 28 commercial street, London E1 6LS
Tel: 02073 775 299
Email: info@iceandfire.co.uk
Women for Refugee Women
This organisation works to raise awareness of the injustices experienced by, and promote the rights of, women seeking asylum in the UK. Briefing journalists, lobbying policy makers, they also organise powerful events bringing alive the voices of women seeking asylum. ‘Motherland’ which is directed by Juliet Stephenson tells the stories of women and children in Yarl’s Wood detention centre will be performed in Bedford in autumn 2009. See their website for further details.
C/O Womankind Worldwide, 2nd Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT
Tel: 02075 490 360
Email: wrw@womankind.org.uk
Manchester
Exodus
This organisation aims to impact on the cultural landscape of Greater Manchester through developing partnerships with Greater Manchester's creative and cultural sector, artists and groups amongst the refugee communities and the wider population.
Community Arts North West, Green Fish Resource Centre, 46-50 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE
Tel: 01612 342 987 Fax: 01612 342 976
Email: erin@can.uk.com
Birmingham
Sound it Out
This organisation’s mission is to offer dynamic and vibrant music opportunities, by connecting people who have little opportunity to make music with musicians who want to inspire them and new audiences who want to hear them. It aims to regenerate communities and works with marginalised communities.
The Arch, Unit F9, 48-52 Floodgate Street, Birmingham B5 5SL
Tel: 0121 772 8655 Fax: 01217 728 630
Email: enquiries@sounditout.org.uk
Nottingham
Notts Refugee Forum
This organisation provides a wealth of information on arts projects throughout the Notts County that asylum seekers and refugees can get involved in. It also lists cultural places that are free to visit.
The Square Centre, Alfred Street North, St Ann’s, Nottingham, NG3 1AA
Tel: 01159 415 599 Fax: 01159 475 358
Long Journey Home
This organisation works to break down cultural barriers through the arts and promotes the work of artists in exile. Through the arts, this organisation promotes different ways of viewing the world. Please contact Stuart Brown on the number below for further information.
Tel: 07891 701 133
Email: stuartbrown@gn.apc.org
Leicester
Long Journey Home
See above for details and the below website for contacting the Leicester branch of this organisation. Call Sheila Mosley on the number provided for further information.
Tel: 07751 888 391
Glasgow
Artists in Exile
This organisation seeks to provide access to the arts community for asylum seekers and refugees. It is a network of artists from across the world. There are regular meet-ups that provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests and develop professionally.
8-10 Osborne Street, Glasgow G2 5QD
Tel: 07815 878 958
Email: aie.glasgow@googlemail.com