First, we want to express our deepest thanks to everyone who supported us so generously in 2024. Last year, our grassroots, community-driven arts festival in Batticaloa created a powerful, healing space for queer, feminist, and rural artists to come together. With a focus on education, healing, talent promotion, and gender equality, we provided a platform for LGBTQIA+ artists and community members to showcase their work, develop skills, and foster inclusion and acceptance.

Please visit our website to see what the festival last year was like:

https://rainbowartfestival.com/

Thanks to your support, we made something beautiful — and this year, we hope to do even more.

What’s Happening in 2025?

Building on the success and feedback from 2024, this year’s festival will include:

Diversity Sharing Sessions: A space for artists to express personal journeys through storytelling, movement, and performance.

Collaborative Art Creation: Interdisciplinary teamwork where artists co-create intersectional, meaningful works of art.

Beach Visit & Night Celebration: A joyful community experience that centers wellness, fun, and connection.

Art Symposium & Showcase: A public presentation of dance, spoken word, music, live painting, and more — offering visibility and recognition to marginalized voices.

What’s New This Year?

We’re excited to introduce two new components in response to participant feedback:

Visual Arts Exhibition for the Public

While the core of our festival remains centered on safe space for queer community bonding, we also want to invite the general public in Batticaloa into the conversation. We’ll create a public exhibition space where participants — many of whom are visual artists — can exhibit their work and engage new audiences.

Inclusive Programming for People Living with HIV

Batticaloa’s HIV-positive community faces ongoing social exclusion. This year, we are introducing dedicated programming to include and uplift individuals living with HIV, offering space for connection, storytelling, and solidarity.

How Your Support Helps

Your contribution is essential to making this festival happen. Funds will be used to cover:

1. Performance and Event Creation

Art supplies, props, costumes; Sound, lighting, and technical setup; Promotional materials and outreach

2. Transportation

Travel costs for artists and staff from across Sri Lanka

3. Accommodation

Lodging for participants from rural and underserved areas

4. Food

Nutritious meals and refreshments for all participants and volunteers

5. Facilitation Fees

Honorariums for workshop leaders, panelists, and guest artists

6. Volunteer Support

Small stipends to recognize and support our volunteer team

In a place where safe spaces for queer, feminist, and marginalized communities are rare, your donation can help us protect and grow this one-of-a-kind festival.

Donate today. Share widely. Join the celebration.