Portraits of Recovery is rewriting the narrative on recovery
Launched by Portraits of Recovery in 2023, Recoverist Month is the UK’s only arts-based public arts and cultural programme that places people and communities in recovery from substance use centre stage.
Recoverist = recovery + activist. It is a way to describe those who are in and connected to recovery, those who use voice, creativity and solidarity to challenge stigma and imagine a different future. The month aims to establish itself as a nationally significant, yearly flagship arts and cultural event for recovery communities, learning from the visibility created by movements such as Black History Month and Pride.
All Recoverist Month events are free or pay what you can.
Why it matters
Mark Prest, Director of Portraits of Recovery, said:
“Portraits of Recovery’s work is about increasing access and opportunity to the transformational power of the arts and culture. We only need to look at how the Queer, disabled, POC and women’s art movements have taken back control through their cultural production. We advocate this approach for the recovery community. Recovery is a collective process, and partnership working is critical to delivering our ambitions.”
Who is it for?
Recoverist Month is for people in recovery from substance use, and for the families, friends and communities around them. It is also for artists, cultural organisations, health and recovery services, and anyone interested in how creativity can challenge stigma and open different conversations about addiction and recovery.
You don’t need to be an artist, or have taken part in Portraits of Recovery’s work before. Recoverist Month creates spaces to listen, take part, reflect and see recovery as something public, creative and shared.
The story so far
Recoverist Month was born from a long-held ambition at Portraits of Recovery to create a dedicated, high-visibility platform for recovery communities through the arts.
2023: The launch: Six artists, five new commissions across five venues, and one festival marked International Recovery Month.
2024: Building momentum: Year two saw Recoverist Month expand across Greater Manchester, with events at HOME, The Turnpike Gallery in Wigan, Oldham Library, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Museum and the Whitworth.
Highlights included: Let’s Talk About Chemsex, Beyond the Surface and the first installment of African Objects: Psychoactives, Spirituality & Mental Health. .
2025: Exhibitions, a film premiere and more at venues including Artefacts of Interaction at HOME, Castlefield Gallery and The Whitworth. 2025 was our biggest year yet, welcoming nearly 50,000 people.
2026: Recoverist Month returns: The full 2026 programme will be announced soon. Sign up to our newsletter to hear first about exhibitions, screenings, workshops and events.
Partners and funders
Recoverist Month is made possible through partnership working and support from Arts Council England and the Greater Manchester Culture Fund.
Accessibility
All Recoverist Month events are free or pay what you can. Individual venue access information is listed on each event page. Please contact us with any specific access needs.
