The character and culture of Liverpool lie at the heart of the Biennial, which is delivered collaboratively with city venues and organisations. Energy and creativity met in the programme for 2004 consisting of four key strands.

Uniquely among the world’s biennials, Liverpool specifically commissioned 100% of the artworks shown in International 04. Leading artists from around the world were invited to explore the city as a context for the show, and then developed their works through dynamic relationships with the organisations and communities in which they were set.