François Matarasso

First thoughts after ICAF

It will take time to process my thoughts and impressions of ICAF 2026. If I do have something coherent to share about current practice, I’ll add it here in due course. But the question that has been most insistent since I got back from Rotterdam is about the future: But that has more to do…

International Community Art Festival 2026

At the end of day two of the Rotterdam festival, some images of a few of the events, by turn inspiring, frustrating, joyous and intriguing. I know no better way of getting a feel of the field’s current preoccupations, desires and anxieties that immersing myself in the diversity of work, even if, at times, there…

The Social Impact of Music Making (SIMM)

The SIMM Platform exists thanks to the vision and tenacity of Lukas Pairon, a musician, activist and researcher who has worked for many years at the interface of music and social change. One of its primary actions is bringing together people working in the field to share ideas and explore new ways forward. Lukas asked…

ICAF 2026

In listening to the opening speeches at ICAF 2026, I’m encouraged at a time when courage is more needed than ever. We can help each other and ourselves by working together with creativity and love. May it be so. The opening performance An Fara (It has begun) An Fara is co-created by Mud Art and…

This shape-shifting border territory

When I am facilitating a co-creation project, how can I ensure that the experience is as rewarding for those present as I hope? That question opens many further questions, which is why this practice is restless and so rewarding to me. Let’s begin with questions about what I know, believe or assume, (by which I mean what I believe I know…

Starting again

In spring 2023, I began working on a new book, which I called A Selfless Art. For reasons both political and personal I felt that there was more to say that I had managed in A Restless Art – and different things to say too. But my difficulties were still far from over and my…