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EXODUS - ABOUT EXODUS

'Artists... reach areas far beyond the reach of politicians. Arts especially entertainment and music is understood by everybody, and lifts the spirits and morale of those who hear it'
Nelson Mandela, Trafalgar Square, February 2005.

Exodus: The Facts

Did You Know?

'Our refugee communities bring a significant cultural richness to our region. Exodus will help to provide opportunities for some extraordinary artists in Greater Manchester who might not otherwise get the profile and attention they deserve'
Michael Eakin, Executive Director, Arts Council England, North West.

Greater Manchester is home to a vibrant and diverse population. There are currently over 66 refugee nationalities in the region, including many artists in exile who have fled repressive regimes. Each group offers a wealth of talent, skills and fresh ideas that can contribute significantly to cultural life in the region. This includes individuals from Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia, Burundi, Congo, Iran, Iraq, Kosova, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and many other countries.

How does Exodus work?

National Refugee Week began in this country in 1997 to raise awareness about the enormous economic and cultural contribution that refugees have made to British society. A huge range of cultural and educational events have already taken place during the past eight years, across the UK.

Exodus builds on the success of the Manchester Refugee Cultural Festival (organised by Manchester Refugee Support Network); an outstanding showcase of arts and culture from across the globe. Exodus works in partnership with others to organise the annual summer festival from 2005-2007 bringing a year-round flexible programme of creative work and events.

Find out how YOU can be part of this fascinating journey. Please get in touch.

Exodus is both producer and creator of cultural events and arts initiatives, including music, dance, theatre, spoken word, digital and visual arts, cross media collaborations, new writing and much more.

Exodus works in partnership to support community cohesion; to raise the voice of our refugee communities and to offer professional platforms for the breadth of their creative talents.

Exodus is for venues

Theatres, Arts Centres, Galleries, Community Centres

Exodus is for artists

Musicians, Dancers, Actors, Poets, Visual Artists, Digital Artists, Writers, Film Makers, Singers, Broadcasters, and other Creative Practitioners

Exodus is for companies

Theatre Companies, Bands, Artist Collectives, Visual and Digital Arts Groups and other Creative Companies

Exodus is for Greater Manchester

Refugee Groups, Local Authorities, Community Groups

Exodus: Activities

Arts Development

Exodus is coordinated by Community Arts North West who have extensive experience of working in a wide variety of art forms and contemporary arts practices. CAN will engage with a variety of traditional and contemporary art forms working with refugees and asylum seekers to develop ideas for creative projects.

A number of projects will be set up to bring refugee and non-refugee communities together to share cultural practices and create artistic work together.

Events

There will be a large-scale outdoor festival in Manchester during Refugee Week in June (2005-2007). With partnership links, other events will be organised throughout the year in a variety of arts and community venues across Greater Manchester. Other ideas so far include a festival of new theatre, film screenings, visual arts exhibitions and a regular jam session for young musicians from around the world.

Training and Professional Development
Training and professional development programmes to support individual refugee artists will and have been created. A database of refugee artists is being developed. Please get in touch if you would like to be included.

Capacity Building for Refugee Arts Organisations

Exodus will ensure groups are signposted to cultural organisations providing relevant services and will also work directly with some groups to develop programmes and raise funds for key projects.

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