Reform Radio is one of the schemes sharing a £300k investment in culture and community projects.
The cash comes from Greater Manchester’s new Collaborate fund, intended to drive “innovation, inclusion, and cross-sector collaboration” across the region’s cultural sector.
In total 8 projects will share the cash, following a competitive application process.
They are:
- Castlefield Gallery – £50,000 for education and skills
- Greater Manchester Arts Sustainability Network – £50,000 for environment
- Hope Mill Theatre – £25,000 for health and wellbeing
- Keisha Thompson – £25,000 for economy and innovation
- The Octagon – £25,000 for education and skills
- Reform Radio – £50,000 for education and skills
- TiPP – £50,000 for safe spaces
- Venture Arts – £25,000 for placemaking
“The Collaborate fund is all about connection – bringing together communities, local authorities, cultural organisations and individuals to work in new and creative ways,” explained Councillor Neil Emmott, Greater Manchester Lead for Culture.
“This investment is a great example of how we can use culture to build stronger partnerships and tackle shared challenges.
“By supporting collaboration across sectors and places, we’re helping to create a more inclusive and joined-up cultural landscape across Greater Manchester.”
READ MORE – Where We Work: Reform Radio, Manchester
Castlefield Gallery will use the money to fund ANEW Decade: A long-term residency programme embedding visual art within substance-use recovery and wider community activities, aiming to inspire creative engagement and personal transformation.
Greater Manchester Arts Sustainability Network (GMAST) is seeking to move from a voluntary group into a formal co-operative. It will lead on environmental responsibility.
Hope Mill Theatre – SYNC: A new project led by and for neurodivergent young people,
Keisha Thompson – Pan-African Congress 80th Anniversary Strategy: A cross-sector working group will develop a long-term strategy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Fifth Pan-African Congress, which took place in Manchester.
The Octagon – Building Bridges: A collaborative project with Bolton Wanderers in the Community and The Met, Bury, creating new opportunities in theatre, music and sport for people with additional needs and learning disabilities.
Reform Radio – Beyond: Co-developing a best practice model for inclusive creative industry training, bridging the gap between the deaf community and the wider creative sector.
TiPP – Next Stop: A creative collaboration working with young people involved with or at risk of being drawn into the criminal justice system exploring their relationship with public transport through participatory arts, highlighting themes of journeys, accessibility and connection.
Venture Arts – Strands: A collaborative light and sound installation inspired by Greater Manchester’s textile heritage, led by learning-disabled textile artist Florence and exploring the meaning of ‘home’.
