Foundation for Art and Creative Technology

FACT is easily one of the best things Liverpool has to offer, if not THE best thing.
FACT is a combination of cinema, art gallery, exhibition space, bar, café and shop. Yes, all of that.
The cinema is absolutely top notch, it is the best cinema I have ever visited. They show a good mix of both major releases and independent films. You’ll find big blockbusters rubbings shoulders with arthouse movies, or Japanese animation. They even show classics from time to time. Perfect.
The art exhibitions change on a regular basis so it’s hard to specifically review those. My favourite in recent memory is the «History of Music Video» piece they had in, where you could go through the evolution of the medium. I spent ages in here and wrote down a good few obscure artists I hadn’t heard of so I could check them out later. Anyway, the exhibitions are always fantastic and imaginative.
The bar is also much-​loved. It’s a favourite hang-​out spot of mine, even if I’m not in the building for anything else. It doesn’t boast a HUGE range of drinks but the atmosphere is always nice, relaxed and friendly.
The café downstairs is equally as good, especially lately as it’s been re-​done and now offers a bigger selection. I’m especially fond of the different green teas.
Anyway, FACT is a must. It’s essential. It is the heart of Liverpool.

I wasn’t expecting the FACT to be devoid of reviews since it isn’t exactly the most inconspicuous of blips on the mental radar of the hip and with it. I fit into neither of those categories but this means diddly-​squat because this is the kind of place I’m happy to have in my city. Yes, that’s right, it’s mine.
Sure, it has its flaws. The art exhibitions can be more miss than hit and the bar upstairs is expensive without really adding anything joyful to the world. Balls to that though because its actual benefits are many.
Hilariously, despite how the FACT has hit perfection, everywhere else disregards its improvements to the cinematic experience and continues on with granitic stubbornness. Visit the new Odeon for example (five years younger than FACT) and you”ll consider naught but ‘Why don’t they serve alcohol that I can take into the movie?’, ‘My backside hurts, why don’t the seats tilt back?’ and ‘Why is this place wrong?‘
Meanwhile, the FACT sits smug and shiny off Wood Street putting on events to dazzle. A re-​showing of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Go on then. A weekday vodka-​tasting film night? I don’t even know what that is, but I’ll grab it with both hands. Art that’ll either make you laugh, weep, confused or angry? Don’t mind if I do. Thank you kindly, FACT. Keep it coming.

Liverpool — 2008’s capital of culture, and how. That title really made a city which had always been a lovely place get its rear end into gear and pull out all the stops to be cultural and artsy. FACT encompasses all this in one fell swoop… fact. Ooh get me.
It’s modern, it’s chic, it’s sleek and instantly makes you feel more intelligent just by walking in. It has cinemas, with chairs comfier than those you’ll have encountered in your local multiplex, AND you can drink alcohol in there. Fact! Okay, that’s going to get annoying. The atrium is amazing, offering incredible views of the surrounding town area, the building is amazingly designed with all the space age chrome and glass, and the exhibitions are all culturally relevant, a particular favourite of mine being the one incorporating the history of video games with all its retro arcade machines.
The café’s lovely too, with free wi-​fi and yummy coffee. All in all you could have a day or night out with a difference right here — cultured, educational and darn right enjoyable. Fabulous!

6 Facts about FACT
1. The Box in the Picturehouse is the snuggest place to sit back and enjoy a film. (just get there early!)
2. The bar upstairs is a classy and sophisticated place to sip a cold glass of crisp white before a film.
3. The modern café serves ah-​mazing cakes and coffees. Try one of their delish paninis.
4. In accompaniment to said coffee –free wifi– so surf the net in comfort. Oh and oddly, they show the recent arrivals from John Lennon Airport if you’re waiting for a friend!
5. The art exhibitions are thought-​provoking and worth a look if you’re in that contemplative and arty frame of mind.
6. Baby, it’s fact, FACT is cheaper than ODEON (check out the free membership perks) and the seats recline! Way comfier.
Whether it’s a film, a snack or food for thought, experience it at FACT! There, I said it.

FACT seems to divide locals down the middle. Some people think it’s one of the city’s best resources whilst others consider it a complete waste of time, money and resources. Personally, I fall into the former camp as I have seen lots of great art at FACT over the years!
A stylish building with a gleaming silver and glass frontage, FACT is a innovative arts centre that commissions, shows and promotes new exhibitions and installations. Whilst they have a strong bias towards work that involves digital media and technology, I’ve seen beautiful short films by Isaac Julien and Bill Viola and a funny installation with video games. The current exhibition is called My War and features 12 international artists’ interpretation of war and conflict in a digital age.
Open seven days a week, FACT is free for adults and children and is an inspiring place to spend an hour or two. There’s usually workshops, talks and film screenings to accompany each exhibition and the building also houses a fab cinema, café, bookshop and bar.

I know that I go on about free places but well they are just so fab!
The cinema is of course not free here nor is the café and you have to pay for some of the events. But the galleries and exhibitions are free. So no cinema and coffee for me, only the free things please!
You had better get your skates on to see ‘What does war mean to you?’ which ends 30^th May. They are trying a new way of communicating with their audience with this exhibition — by SMS. So basically, you text comments to them, sharing your thoughts and experiences of war.
They are also holding free (did I really say that word again– free) workshops related to the exhibition. A good one for children and the family is the family resource activity — 23^rd and 30^th May, where you can create a letter, poster or newspaper front page from the audio war stories in the Media Lounge.
What is great to know is that since 1992, FACT’s Engagement Team (formerly Education & Collaborations) has been delivering a range of programmes aimed at addressing issues such as community cohesion, social exclusion, technological exclusion, citizenship and civic participation. With programmes dedicated to schools and colleges, communities, young people, families, interest groups, health, housing and regeneration, the Engagement Team use creativity and innovate projects to foster sustainable communities and to improve quality of living.