Calling all Refugee and Asylum Seeker groups, individuals and artists and friends.

We are now planning this year’s Exodus Refugee Arts Festival – a popular family event that is now into its 7th year. Attended by all communities, it’s relaxed, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, makes it a unique celebration of arts and culture by Greater Manchester’s diverse refugee communities.

This year for the first time, the festival is taking place in a prime Manchester City Centre location, Urbis and Cathedral Gardens situated opposite Victoria Station, on Sunday 31st August. www.urbis.org.uk .

It is a great opportunity to bring to the very heart of the city centre this much loved festival that celebrates the positive and vibrant contribution refugees make to the social, economic and cultural life of Greater Manchester.

At the core of the festival has always been the active, present and participatory involvement of refugee and asylum-seeker communities, individuals and artists.

You may have already been involved in previous festivals or you may be new to this country. Either way, we would like to invite you to get involved. There are opportunities to: • Perform music, dance or spoken word live on stage, • Sell your food as part of the festival’s International Food market. • Run a workshop or stall • Show a film or an exhibition • Help to make the event happen.

If you are a refugee or asylum-seeker group or individual living in Greater Manchester we would like to hear YOUR ideas.

We are holding a meeting to discuss ideas for the festival on Monday 2nd June from 12 noon – 3pm at the Community Arts North West offices. Everyone is welcome.

Venue: Green Fish Resource Centre, Community Arts NW, 46-50 Oldham Street Manchester, M4 1LE

How can you find out more?

To confirm your attendance or for more information, please call Exodus Coordinator, Ruth Daniel on 0161 234 2987 or email ruth@can.uk.com;

What is Exodus?

Exodus launched in March 2005 as a three year creative programme supporting and developing refugee arts across Greater Manchester. Now in its second phase (2008 – 11), the Exodus programme aims to work with refugees, asylum-seekers and other local communities to develop ideas for creative projects. We work with both experienced artists and those who are new to the arts.

Who is Community Arts North West (CAN)?

Community Arts North West (CAN) is the lead-partner of the Exodus project. CAN is an arts development organisation that works in partnership with voluntary sector communities, artists, and agencies to encourage, develop, create, produce and promote programmes of participatory arts work. Their priority is to create access to cultural production for people who are excluded or on the fringe of mainstream cultural resources. For 30 years, CAN’s work has helped to create a voice, expression and visibility for the many complex and diverse communities that make up Greater Manchester.

How to find CAN

CAN is located in the city centre (in Manchester’s Northern Quarter), about ten minutes from both Piccadilly and Victoria train stations, five minutes from Shude Hill Interchange and five minutes from Piccadilly bus station and tram stop. The nearest car park is the multi-storey on Church Street.

Address: Green Fish Resource Centre, Community Arts NW, 46-50 Oldham Street Manchester, M4 1LE