PLATFORMA COMMUNITY TAKEOVER

Vibrant. Courageous. Uplifting. 

This event takes place from midday.

A day of sharing and celebration, giving space to artists and arts made by and with migrant and refugee communities to tell stories and highlight the important role of the arts and the fantastic work that takes place across Ipswich. The Jerwood DanceHouse will come alive with performances, artwork, films, poetry, spoken word and much more. An enriching day of arts and culture not to be missed!

Theatre
Our studio theatre will showcase a vibrant programme of dance, theatre and music brought to you by local Bollywood group, Dance Folks, Gecko Theatre’s Being Migrant group, and Status Creative’s young refugee musicians, to name a few.
There will also be a range of films and presentations, showcasing some amazing projects from The Hold’s Arrivals project to Addictive TV’s Orchestra of Samples global music project.
Ipswich Windrush Society, Ipswich Romanian Community and This is Ipswich join forces to highlight stories of resilience and migration through film and Hannah Aria will present a virtual gallery for her Window to the Soul exhibition, sharing artwork, poetry and creative writing from women and girls from Afghanistan.

Art, Textile & Photography
A range of local artists and photographers will exhibit their work in our Whistler Gallery and throughout the building, including one of the photographers behind the brilliant Portrait of Norwich Road exhibition.
In the Wellbeing Studio, you will find Colchester-based RAMA (Refugee, Asylum seeker & Migrant Action) sharing some of the artwork made by the individuals they work with and Suffolk Refugee Support’s Women’s Sewing Group with an exhibition of their textile creations.

Workshops & Activities
Catch Gecko Theatre’s Associate Director, Helen Baggett, for a movement workshop in the Ashton Studio delving into the companies practice and work with refugees and migrant groups. The Hold will be running family-friendly arts & crafts activities in the Wellbeing Studio alongside a range of other stands and stalls. Join Future Female Society’s Woman 2 Woman Radio live sessions and listen to the 1SAF podcasts sharing personal stories of migration.

Food
We’re excited to be working with The Hive and their incredible group of community cooks to offer an array of delicious food for all to enjoy throughout the afternoon.

GET INVOLVED

There’s still time to get involved. If you or your organisation would like to be part of the Platforma Community Takeover, please email sophie.oconnor@danceeast.co.uk and tell us more about your ideas!

ABOUT PLATFORMA FESTIVAL

Platforma festival takes place in a different English region every two years, produced by Counterpoints Arts in collaboration with local partners to showcase work, build capacity and share learning across the arts, migration and other sectors.

In October 2025, the 8th Platforma festival will take place across the East of England with a range of performances, exhibitions, talks and other events celebrating and supporting art by and about refugees and migrants. This edition’s programme will embed a particular focus on exploring mental health and wellbeing through the lens of the arts and its impact on individuals and communities affected by experiences of displacement.

The Platforma Community Takeover has been co-commissioned and co-produced by Counterpoints Arts, DanceEast and Suffolk County Council.