Portrait of a Nation Finale, Liverpool

Portrait of a Nation’s finale in Liverpool 1st-2nd December 2008

The Portrait of a Nation finale was the culmination of a two-year journey which challenged more than 3,000 young people from 17 cities across the UK to explore who they are, where they come from and their hopes for the future as young British adults. It was organised by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Liverpool Culture Company, as part of the European City of Culture celebrations.

Conversation, debate and creative exchange has underpinned the year long programme of Portrait of a Nation projects in 17 UK cities. Over 3000 young people have engaged in explorations of roots, heritage, identity and culture themes through more than 50 individual projects representing a wide range of creative processes and artistic engagement practise. These projects have resulted in performances, films, soundscapes, music, creative writing, banners, visual and street art and giant processional puppets.

Over 3 days in December over 300 young people from across the UK converged in Liverpool to meet, showcase their projects, and celebrate their many achievements. The historic St Georges Hall in the heart of Liverpool was transformed into a vibrant hub of activity as young people from the 17 cities shared their many projects to participants and members of the public. You can read more about Portrait of a Nation here.

I worked with Creative Director Orit Azaz and the Liverpool Culture Company to devise and deliver 10 simultaneously run creative workshops that would dynamically explore the themes, questions and issues raised by young people over the course of the 2 year initiative. Facilitated by a diverse range of artists and practitioners the workshops used

very different art forms that including drama, poetry, documentary, and comedy, to explore ideas and perspectives in imaginative and challenging ways. The Creative Convesation took place during the 2nd day of the finale in St Georges Hall, Liverpool.