The With One Voice International Arts & Homelessness Summit & Festival aimed to raise awareness of the realities of homelessness and the powerful ways that the arts can transform lives.,

The event, held at The Whitworth and other venues across Manchester from 12 to 18 November 2018, brought together 250 delegates from 15 countries for the world’s first International Arts and Homelessness Summit & Festival.

The Summit programme ranged from panel debates to more informal chances to engage with the arts – from singing exercises to becoming ‘living statues’ – which provided a unique energy to proceedings. Half of the delegate places were given free to people who are or have been homeless, ensuring that people with lived experience were at the heart of the summit.

The event was hosted by With One Voice, an international movement that aims to strengthen the arts and homelessness sector through exchanges in practice and policy. The festival consisted of a week-long programme of free events and exhibitions across Manchester. The summit brought together practitioners, artists, activists, academics and policy makers from across the world.