Where: Sainsbury Centre, Norfolk Rd, Norwich NR4 7TJ
When: 10.30-2.30 on Tuesday 5th November 2024 (free lunch provided)
For information about the Platforma festival taking place across the East of England in October 2025 and how you can get involved
To reserve a free place: email tom@counterpoints.org.uk before 22nd October.
Please circulate this invitation, but all attendees must register in advance by email.
21/10/2004: This event is now at capacity, but please email for more information about Platforma and to receive updates.
Image: Good Evening, We Are From Ukraine by Frankie Mills (Platforma 2023 in the South West)
An invitation
The Platforma festival takes place in a different English region every two years, produced by Counterpoints Arts in collaboration with local partners and artists to showcase work, build capacity and share learning.
In October 2025, Platforma will take place across the East of England with a range of performances, exhibitions, talks and other events of all kind and scale. Most of the programming will be from local artists and organisations, with touring and visiting contributions making it a truly national event. 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.
This event at Sainsbury Centre on 5th November will be a chance to learn more about Platforma, including how artists and organisations can get involved and what support can be provided. It will also be an opportunity to network across the arts, refugee and other sectors in Norwich. We will also share more about our work around mental health and creative well-being.
It will be an informal and friendly day, and anyone with an interest in this work is welcome. It is fine to come for only part of the day.
10.30-12.30: Introducing Platforma and group discussions about current programming and provision in and around Norwich, challenges and opportunities
12.30-1.30: Lunch and conversation
1.30-2.30: The arts, refugees and mental health / creative health – discussion and ideas for events and programming.
Please contact tom@counterpoints.org.uk to reserve a free place or with any questions. We are able to cover the costs of local travel for people who are not supported by an organisation.
Many thanks to the Sainsbury Centre for generously hosting this event.
Other similar events have been (or will be) taking place in other places across the region.
Background
In 2023 the 7th Platforma festival was held over 5 weeks across the South West of England, with more than 30 events. A key part of the programme is connecting organisations and people across the arts, migration and other sectors. We also seek to make connections between places, within the region and with visiting artists and practitioners from across the UK and internationally.
By focusing on a different region every two years, Counterpoints is able to spend time getting to know a wide range of new partners and to build and understanding of the context. Our co-commissions and overall programme are responsive to that, with a view to capacity building for the longer term and creating collaborations that last well beyond the festival period.
Platforma also becomes a focus of local media, as with this 2023 report by the BBC.
