A masterclass workshop exploring both practical and ethical approaches to making theatre from lived experience in community settings.
Much of participatory theatre aims to tell the stories of communities who have been marginalised and amplify hidden stories that aren’t given space in the mainstream media. The term “theatre from lived experience” has become common in the participatory theatre lexicon to describe an approach to making theatre with communities which deals with the real issues in their lives.
In this event we will explore creative exercises which support the process of making theatre from lived experience; and the ethics of this practice. Attendees will be introduced to approaches used by the Collective Encounters team in our participatory projects.
This training will be delivered by Michelle Richards (Associate Lead Artist) and Marianne Matusz (Co-Artistic Director).
Online Event: This training will take place online using Zoom. You will receive an email with the link.
**Please note: we do not record the sessions because of the sensitive nature of the topic.
Length: 3 hours
Ticket Cost:
For attendees supported by their organisations the full price of a ticket is £40.00 For freelancers and individuals from non-regularly funded organisations attendees the price of a ticket is £30.00 For those on low or no income the ticket price is £18.00
We also have a small number of bursary places available for those with limited funds, please email info@collective-encounters.org.uk
* *Please Note: Ticket sales will end 24 hours before this event is due to start.
Access: This event will use live transcription. If you require BSL interpretation, please get in touch no later than two weeks before the event. If you have any other access requirements please email info@collective-encounters.org.uk
Join Art UK to explore The Atkinson’s art! Learn how to add tags to artworks on Art UK’s website and make it easier for others to find them.
The Atkinson have a huge art collection, and over 800 of these artworks are available to view on Art UK’s website. In this workshop, you’ll look closely at these wonderful works of art and add descriptive words to make it easier for others to find them. Tagging is a great way to learn more about the art around you.
It is easy and fun – you don’t need to be an art expert to take part and is open to all ages.
Have a go and contribute to making Art UK more searchable by tagging people, places and things – and discover new art and artists along the way.
Please note children must be accompanied by an adult.
Join us for a series of fun and engaging adult craft workshops. Learn new skills like wet felting, braid making, knitting, appliqué, button making, and mending. Our experienced tutor will guide you through each session, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter.
It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, relax, and have fun.
Sessions take place on the last Thursday of the month: 25 September / 30 October / 27 November
The workshops are held in the community rooms at Southport Library. Each session accommodates 10-12 attendees, so space is limited.
Tickets must be purchased in advance at the library counter and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call Southport Library at 0151 934 2118 for more information, ticket reservations cannot be made over the phone. Be sure to visit the library in person to secure your spot!
Linny Venables is a visual artist based in Liverpool working in sculpture, installation, curation and facilitation. Linny experiments with kiln-formed warm glass processes as a form of therapy, slumping, extruding and manipulating glass into fluid, playful shapes. Linny’s exhibition Sweet Factory is currently on display in the Art Gallery.
Join Linny in The Atkinson’s Art Box for a ‘Sweet Factory’ themed arts and crafts workshop suitable for all the family. There’s something for all ages, with all materials supplied and all for free!
Drop-in any time between 11am – 3pm and get creative.
Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
First come first served. You may be expected to wait until a space at a craft table becomes available.
A 6 week ONLINE Course led by Merseyside writer, Helen Jeffery.
This course is aimed at writers who have some prior experience of writing for stage
During the 6 weeks we will cover topics such as: Character development, Exposition, Verbatim, Form, Structure, Theatricality & World Building.
At the end of the 6 weeks, you’ll have time to go away and write and then submit a short piece to me for inclusion in a scratch night in Liverpool during the summer (details TBC!)
NB- If you are a writer who is sober/in recovery and based in Liverpool City region then please do reach out to me via email as I have some funded spots available if finance is a barrier
During this one day course you will learn the basics of screen printing, including learning about the materials used and processes involved in creating a UV exposed screen. After preparing and exposing your own screen, you’ll get time to draw your own image to print, or you can bring a suitable image with you. You’ll finish the workshop by using our screen-beds to ink and print your 2 colour designs onto paper in a small edition that you can take home with you.
All materials you will use are included in the cost of the course, but you are welcome to bring along your own if you choose.
Our studios are environmentally friendly where possible and use greener methods of screen printing, such as water-based acrylic inks. Completing this course will act as an Induction. After becoming a Bluecoat Artist Member you will be able to book into our Screen Printing Studio should you wish to.
Attendees must be 18+
£70 (all materials included)
Set your intentions for the year ahead by creating a collage-based vision board before the New Moon on Sun 18 Jan. The New Moon marks the start of the lunar cycle and is often associated with new beginnings, renewal, growth, and transformation. It’s considered the best time to reflect, plan, and focus on your intentions.We’ll provide second-hand materials such as magazines, newspapers, strips of fabric, string, and ribbon. To make your vision board unique to you, please bring inspirational imagery suited to your intentions for 2026. This could be in the form of photographs, tickets, or postcards.Come solo or with friends. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others and pin down your hopes and dreams for the future.Please note, the building will be closed to the public from 5pm. Please ring the doorbell on the right-hand side of the main entrance, and a member of staff will welcome you in.
Free, booking required
Are you seeking new approaches to evaluation which put the communities you are working with at the heart of the process?
Understanding and demonstrating the value and impact of creative work in and with communities is vital to the sustainability of participatory and community arts. This training will focus on how artists, practitioners and project managers can enable participants to evaluate their own experiences of arts and cultural projects through creative exercises.
This training will:
Introduce ideas around participatory creative evaluation. Support practitioners to find the right questions and engaging ways to ask these. Share ideas on how creative data can be captured, analysed and disseminated.
Length: 3 hours
This training will take place online, via Zoom.
Ticket Cost:
For attendees supported by their organisations the full price of a ticket is £40.00 For freelancers and non-regularly funded organisations, the price of a ticket is £30.00 For those on low income the ticket price is £18.00
We also have a small number of bursary places available for those with limited funds, please email admin@collective-encounters.org.uk
Access: This event will use live transcription. If you require BSL interpretation, please get in touch no later than two weeks in advance of the training.
‘Linocut printing involves cutting away from a block of linoleum, and inking and printing the uncut areas. When you place your carved, inked up block face down on a sheet of paper, the printed image will appear as a mirror image to how you have carved your block. Areas you have cut away will remain the white of the paper you print on.‘
During this one day course you will be guided through the basics of Linocut, an easy and enjoyable process that makes a perfect introduction to printmaking. You will learn how to transfer an image onto your lino, carve your lino blocks and create a small edition of 2-colour prints. You will also gain insight on the materials and tools used, and how you can confidently continue the process as home.
£70 (all materials included)
Join us for a series of fun and engaging adult craft workshops. Learn new skills like wet felting, braid making, knitting, appliqué, button making, and mending. Our experienced tutor will guide you through each session, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned crafter.
It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, relax, and have fun.
The workshops are held in the community rooms at Southport Library. Each session accommodates 10-12 attendees, so space is limited.
Tickets must be purchased in advance at the library counter and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call Southport Library at 0151 934 2118 for more information, ticket reservations cannot be made over the phone. Be sure to visit the library in person to secure your spot!
