Liverpool's Blackfest is looking for local artists to get involved in its 2021 events programme

Liverpool’s grassroots Black arts festival, BlackFest is calling upon local artists and creatives to showcase their talents this autumn.

The non-profit organisation, who work with Black artists to create an annual festival programme, as well as nurturing a vibrant arts community throughout the year via educational and empowering projects, are especially seeking artists with whom they have never worked before and those from a diverse range of backgrounds.

The 2021 programme of events due to take place this September will feature visual arts, film, spoken word, music, and theatre.

Jubeda Khatun, Director at BlackFest, said:

“There was a major shift during the pandemic on how we perceive our surroundings and daily interactions. Our narratives tell a story of a collective grief and resurgence of Black voices and experiences.

Given the anniversary that sparked global protests on race, and how it played a vital role in the pandemic that exposed disparities within the UK system, we are looking closely at Place, Persona and Parables. Our 2021 festival will respond to those experiences; the artistic theme this year is ‘Parallels’ – whether it be geographical, political, historical, social, physical or class in our society.”

Founded in 2018, BlackFest platform and develop work by Black creatives and communities in established arts venues and community spaces, bridging the gap between institutions and marginalised communities.

Their annual programme includes music, dance, visual arts, film, literature, theatre community productions and education; using arts for social inclusion, community cohesion and making arts accessible for underrepresented & underdeveloped groups with positive outcomes in well-being, employment, further training and championing leadership.

Despite the nationwide restrictions in 2020, BlackFest were able to host an eclectic online programme of talks, debates and interviews, and also live streamed musical performances from Constellations in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle.

Over the past two years, BlackFest have worked with the likes of Unity Theatre, The Bluecoat, Philharmonic Hall, Toxteth TV, FACT, Everyman Playhouse Theatres as well as local and nationwide artists.