Arji Manuelpillai
Poet I Performer I Creative facilitator
I’m a poet, performer and creative facilitator based in London.
For over 15 years I’ve has worked with community arts projects nationally and internationally. This has given me the privilege of working with some of the world’s most interesting people. In everywhere from prisons and Immigration Removal centres to schools and youth clubs I have continued to push creativity and self expression.
My strengths lie in my ability to connect with people from all walks of life, to empathise and build lasting bonds. I pride myself on my ability to inspire and encourage self-expression using an array of games and exercises built up over years working with Drama, Storytelling, Music and Creative writing.
I believe every art form has its benefits and I truly believe and advocate for the power of the arts to strengthen relationships in communities across the world.
As well as being a passionate creative facilitator I am also a published poet. Recently, I was awarded the Jerwood Arvon Prize which meant mentorship from the award winning writer and poet Hannah Lowe.
In 2021, following the release of my first book ‘Mutton Rolls’, I was awarded a Develop Your Creative Practice Grant from Arts Council England and I used it to research and develop a new book discussing extremism and radicalisation in its many forms.
This book is expected in October 2022 under the auspicious publisher Penned in the Margins.
I’m a great believer in poetry out of the classroom, I want to see poems in the local market, on the bus, on the backs of toilet doors, I want to see poetry everywhere.'
“A safe creative space full of fun and good vibes. Absolutely no judgment from anyone regardless of their poetry level, published or unpublished.”
– Tuesday Gale, Participant in online poetry workshops
My Ethos
Writing and facilitation have always gone hand in hand for me.
My multi-disciplinary workshops draw on my rich knowledge of music, storytelling, drama and poetry.
For me, the process, not the product, is the most important aspect of creativity.
I’ve been running creative workshops for over 15 years working with every age group in multiple different countries across the world. Throughout that time my major goal as a facilitator has been to create playful, joyful spaces where participants feel safe and secure. By doing this, I am providing the space to inspire creativity. I’ve taken this approach into prisons, immigration removal centres, schools, youth clubs and other educational settings.
I believe everyone has creativity inside of them.
I believe that ‘play’ can have longterm health benefits.
I believe that creativity can change lives.
Companies I have worked with include:
Over 15 years of experience
Winner of the Jerwood/Arvon mentorship
Degree in Drama and English from University of Hull
Knowledge of production tools including Logic Pro X, imovie and Garageband
Associate Artist at Kazzum Arts and Emergency Exit Arts
Former Associate artist for Play For Progress and Mousetrap Theatre Projects
DBS checked for over 15 years
Trauma Enforced Practice through 5 days training with Kazzum Arts
Bamboozle Special Education Needs training
Many years experience and training of working with individuals in the Immigration System
