Supporting the Homotopia  international festival of arts and culture

Liverpool John Moores University is continuing its successful cultural collaboration with Homotopia  for the 2014 annual international festival of arts and culture. The partnership is set to bring even more exciting opportunities to students and staff, while contributing to the arts sector in Merseyside.

LJMU is the highest ranking university in the Stonewall index of Britain's best employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff and has long-standing links with Homotopia .

Dr Edward Harcourt, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) commented:

 “Liverpool John Moores University is proud to be the festival sponsor for Homotopia  2014.   This is our second year of sponsorship and reflects the University’s engagement with the arts as well as the importance we place on diversity and respect for all members of our community.    

“Our relationship is deeply collaborative with Homotopia ’s creative team working alongside academic staff from a number of our schools to jointly source and produce events.   I congratulate the artistic director, Gary Everett, on producing on producing a landmark series that puts Homotopia  up amongst the leading international festivals of queer art and culture.”

Gary Everett, Homotopia  Artistic Director said:

"I am so pleased to be working in partnership with LJMU again. At Homotopia  we aim to promote social justice and community cohesion through great LGBT art and culture so it is vital for us to work with partners in education. LJMU's academics enrich our work and in return we broaden the students education through their participation and engagement with our events."

The partnership has already seen opportunities for students as marketing and design interns, in drama workshops, legal debates and masterclasses, and curating exhibitions.

This year will see Homotopia working with the Liverpool Screen School to present an evening with Liverpool born director Terence Davies, who is widely regarded as Britain's greatest living film-maker. There will also be work with the LJMU Drama Department to bring the internationally reknowned artistic director of dance-theatre company DV8, Lloyd Newson, to talk to students ahead of his latest show John , which is going directly from the Liverpool Playhouse to the National Theatre.

Homotopia  is also bringing American performance company Force/collision to Liverpool who will lead a workshop with drama students.

Additionally, the Festival will continue to host tours of its April Ashley exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool for history, law and public health students from LJMU.

For more about Homotopia  and what’s planned for this year’s festival, visit their website

Further information and interviews via Clare Coombes, Press and Publications Officer, Liverpool John Moores University, T: 0151 231 3004 press@ljmu.ac.uk