At a time when the world feels uncertain—when trust between countries is strained and the landscape of global cooperation keeps shifting—creativity helps us reconnect, remember who we are and imagine what’s possible together.

Ahead of this year’s Commonwealth People’s Forum, we’re building something historic: the Commonwealth Quilt. A collective digital tapestry composed of pieces by artists and makers from across the Commonwealth.

In partnership with Commonwealth Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh, who is writing a patchwork of 56 poems for each Commonwealth country, we’re inviting creatives everywhere to add their own ‘thread’ to compliment her inspiring words:

Together — piece by piece by peace — we are one.

But a quilt is never done.

It's passed down and carried on.

Each generation threads their own.

Each one's story must be sewn.

What will you thread?

The prompt for the Commonwealth Quilt is Thread.

Dancers thread movement between bodies, musicians thread melody through rhythm, painters thread colours, storytellers thread narrative, photographers thread light. Thread is universal and we invite you to respond to the prompt and share your ‘thread’.

Up to three creative submissions per region will be selected and awarded £200 prize money each, with these submissions to be featured in a physical exhibition in Antigua and Barbuda.

What Thread do you bring to the Commonwealth?

We are seeking original contributions across all creative disciplines:

• Visual Art: Painting, digital art, photography, illustration, textiles.

• Literary Art: Poetry, prose, short stories.

• Performing Arts: Song, music video, rap, dance, or movement.

• Short Film: Creative storytelling and documentary.

Remember that while all submissions must be creative in their approach, you don’t need to be an artist to enter. This initiative is about individuals from all walks of life expressing themselves creatively. Your thread could be a beautiful picture of your community, a clip of the song you sing to bring joy to you and those around you, or it could be your first one-line poem about resilience in the face of adversity. All these examples and so many more will count as valuable contributions to the Commonwealth Quilt.

Join the Tapestry

The submission window opens 9 March and closes 9 June 2026. Be part of this global dialogue.

Fill in this short expression of interest form today, and we'll send you the full creative brief and submission details.

Ready to submit or want to learn more? Visit our website: commonwealthfoundation.com/how-to-make-a-commonwealth-quilt