F31: Artists Without Borders is a new inititive in 2025
Over the years, we’ve recognized how important it is to provide space for artists to come together. We’ve seen time and again at SOLA and through Festival31 that artists have sought sanctuary in the UK due to persecution of their creative voice, so we strive to provide opportunity for the creative talents of people with lived experience from the displaced and resettled communities. Artists and Creatives who are currently seeking sanctuary may have little or no funds for art materials, or space to create and make, and can find themselves extremely isolated.
There is also a need to focus on their resettlement journey, which can take many years. As a result, the process of finding a footing in society often takes people away from their creative talents and their past creative career.
Connection as an overarching theme; a space to connect and an opportunity to share.
For displaced people who don’t have family or friendships when they arrive, the experience of making in a respectful, shared space becomes a solid tool for resilience, purposefulness and sense of identity.
The F31: Artists Without Borders works across all six boroughs within the region; Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley, Wirral and Halton, working with key organizations in each area. We collaborate to form a network of; artists and creatives, of people who are emerging through their creative interest and talent, and of people who sought sanctuary. These three elements are encapsulated within the individual and the artists of the network.
In 2025 we’re working with network members to identify how the network can evolve…
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What the network looks like moving forward
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Develop understanding of how, when and in what ways people’s abilities to participate can be accommodated
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A weekly studio drop-in for artists of displaced experience in the region; to come together and practice, providing materials wherever possible
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Develop showcasing opportunities
