As part of our Colonial Legacies project, we want to help develop anti-racist leaders in the arts.

This new project explores the origins of the Bluecoat building and its connections to the transatlantic slave trade and goods enabled by slavery, such as cotton, sugar and tobacco, which contributed to the charity school’s fortune.

We’re looking for 14-18 year olds in Liverpool to get involved and help lead an exciting arts programme. They'll also be able to gain a Bronze or Silver Arts Award.

Want to hear more? Come to one of our Summer open days!

You will get a taster of the programme, what you will experience if you take part in the project and get involved with some creative activities.

Drop in to one of our sessions:

Tue 24 Aug, 1-4pm

Wed 25 Aug, 1-4pm

All activities will be socially distanced.

About the Project

Our new Colonial Legacies project explores the origins of the Bluecoat building and its connections to Liverpool merchants who supported the school using profits derived from trade with Africa and the British colonies. This includes the transatlantic slave trade and goods enabled by slavery, such as cotton, sugar and tobacco, which contributed to the charity school’s fortune.

We will be:

• Researching the Bluecoat history in relation to colonialism and its links to the transatlantic slave trade
• Visiting local archives and museums
• Attending workshops by artists who respond to these themes
• Going on ‘study trips’ to broaden knowledge on Britain’s colonial echoes
• Creating artwork in response to this various forms of research
• Sharing knowledge with other local young people by planning events and workshops (i.e. collaboration with pupils from the history group of the Liverpool Blue Coat School that used to occupy the building’s history group)
• Planning and developing a public programme of art events, and commission artists to deliver this programme; this could include an exhibition, interview, performance etc