In March, Rochdale hosted its first ‘Festival of Ideas’. Coinciding with the reopening of the renovated Rochdale Town Hall, it brought together artists, musicians, community groups, and schools to explore the power of creativity in bringing together everyone across Rochdale’s diverse community.
“What does being queer mean to me?”
That’s the theme of a pop-up art exhibition being held in Salford on 27 August, to spread a little joy in a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack from the media and politicians.
‘Crafternoons’ return to support mental wellbeing
Stitched Up’s successful mental health ‘Crafternoons’ are returning thanks to new funding from the Manchester Wellbeing Fund.
The Factory arts venue faces huge funding shortfall
Originally costing £110m, The Factory arts centre is now expected to cost £186m and the project is currently tens of millions short of its target. Manchester City Council say they can’t fill the gap because of the dire financial straits they face due to Covid.
Masks for Life scheme brings artists together to help local community
Islington Mill in Salford have launched a scheme to provide community groups with free masks and help keep local artists making and serving their communities. Covid-19 has decimated many industries and changed how we keep ourselves and others safe in public spaces. Islington Mill has launched Masks for Life, a Covid response project that aims […]
Outpouring of love for Nexus Art Cafe as Covid forces its closure
Nexus Art Cafe, after shutting its doors in March for the Covid-19 lockdown, announced on Monday it would not reopen. Patrons and supporters of the not-for-profit arts and events space reacted with dismay but also love, recounting their memories in the venue and offering their thanks to the Nexus team. Nexus announced the closure via […]
Levenshulme Market to re-open with ‘Shop & Go’ model
Levenshulme Market are offering a breathe of fresh air alternative to supermarket shopping with their re-opening on Saturday 27 June. Levenshulme Market, closed since the lockdown in mid-March, is to re-open, giving Levy locals and visitors an opportunity to shop in a safe and socially distanced manner with public hygiene measures in place. Offering a […]
There’s a reason why you don’t see many black and ethnic minority faces in cultural spaces
Roaa Ali, a research associate at the University of Manchester, investigates the issues around ethnic inequalities in the arts, where BAME people are underrepresented in the creation and consumption of artistic work. Guest article from The Conversation. Have you ever been to the theatre, looked around, and thought about how predominantly white the audience is? […]