Matchbox City

Matchbox City is an ambitious participatory art project using sculpture, animation and storytelling to explore ideas about the current housing crisis and notions of home. Engaging people from across the North West of England and collaborating with people affected by homelessness, a series of sculptural installations will spring up in Manchester, Liverpool and Rochdale during summer 2014. 

People affected by homelessness were invited to take part in workshops in which simple materials such as matchsticks and cardboard were used to create the buildings and inhabitants of an imagined city. Stop-motion animation was used to bring participants' stories to life, ranging from the poignant to the comical, from playfully imaginative tales to heartfelt personal responses. During summer 2014 we will be sharing Matchbox City with the public during events and exhibitions in the North West.

As community artists we believe that sharing creativity and passing on skills can be a powerful way to build confidence and self esteem. We want to invite the participants who helped to build the Matchbox City to come along to see their work exhibited and to help run drop-in workshops with the public. We want to raise awareness about the growing issue of homelessness whist breaking down some of the stigma and negative attitudes towards people who are affected by it.   

You can help our participants to achieve this goal. All of the money donated to Matchbox City will go towards the transport costs that can restrict people attending events outside of their local area. You donation will also allow us to provide food and refreshments for participants who are sharing their skills and gaining experience of delivering workshops. 

Here is the best bit - If you chose to sponsor the project you can be part of it too. In return for a donation of £5 or more you will receive a Matchbox City kit so you can get creative and build your own place within the city. Take a photo of you matchbox building and matchstick person and upload to our Tumblr, Facebook or Twitter to be part of Matchbox City. 

Matchbox City has been developed by Connecting Threads, which is a collaborative partnership between community artists, Becky Waite and Emily Hayes. The project has received funding from Arts Council England for the artistic elements of creating the work. We are seeking this sponsorship for additional elements such as supporting skill-sharing development for participants.