Paperwork

Migrants In Culture is hosting open access printing sessions for migrant culture workers and migrant organisers.

We're inviting you to experiment with design, storytelling, comms and art processes as part of your organising work.

We will share skills, play despite hostile environments and meet other people who are imagining no borders futures.

Sign up for one or all four of our pilot sessions, every last Wednesday of the month. Drop in from 4-8pm at Rabbits Road Press, a community press set up by OOMK.

“What will we do?”

The sessions are open access, so you decide what you’d like to make or communicate. If you already have ideas or sketches, bring them along. We could print flyers for your campaigns, make protest posters, print Know Your Rights cards or experiment with colours and patterns...the possibilities are endless. You can also use our research library on the UK immigration regime, the new anti-refugee bill and border abolition. And we will make time to hang out and chat.

“We have no experience with design or printing.”

No problem. We work with the Design Justice principles and believe that "everyone is an expert based on their own lived experience, and that we all have unique and brilliant contributions to bring to a design process." We will also give you an introduction and exercises to riso printing.

“What is riso printing?”

A riso printer is an experimental stencil printing machine. It’s easy to use and you can work without a computer and expensive adobe programmes - you can print directly from your original drawing or design.

“What paper can we print on?”

We’ll be using evercopy off-white paper, if you’d like to use another kind of paper, please bring it on the day. The riso will take any A4 or A3 paper below 200gsm.

“How much is it?”

Sessions are free to attend. Thanks to funding from Necessity, we have a print budget of £100 for each session to pay for your induction and 10 prints per person. Anything after that will be charged at cost prices (between 5-15p per print). Newham-based people get a discount.

“We can’t afford to travel to Rabbits Road Press.”

We have a small budget towards travel costs, so we can pay back your travel fare in cash on the day. We will prioritise people on low income and NRPF.

“Is the venue wheelchair accessible?”

There is a step-free side entrance on Rabbits Road. Get in touch if you have more questions or have additional access requirements, including BLS interpretation or translation, email us on Migrantsinculture@gmail.com.

“What about covid?”

Please take a covid test before you travel and don’t come in if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms. If you can, please wear a mask. The workshops space is not well ventilated. If you'd like to take part but are shielding, email migrantsinculture@gmail.com to arrange a workshop pack.

"Can we bring our children?"

Yes of course.

“Why are you doing this?”

As migrant culture workers, we live with endless paperwork: from Arts Council applications to Home office forms. As migrant organisers, we live with relentless screen time, without taking time to play, process and rest. We want to spend a more pleasurable time with paper, print, screens and each other.

“How do you define who is a migrant?”

We’re open to you defining the term migrant as it fits you. We acknowledge the different oppressions and privileges that can be hidden by this term, from the division between good and bad immigrants to the racialisation and othering of Black and POC citizens. To quote from our recovery advocacy document: “Migrant refers to people who have lived experiences of migration or are being profiled as migrants because of the colour of their skin, their accent or other characteristics, regardless of their legal status. Migrants can have a variety of legal statuses, including as visa nationals, temporary or permanent residents, refugees or asylum seekers, traveller communities, undocumented or citizens. There are migrants who have been residing in the UK for a long time, those born of migrant parents, and those here for a shorter while.” What allows us to build coalitions (without erasing difference) is our collective opposition to borders.