Factory International is piloting 12-month Community Partnership agreements, worth £10,000 each, with four charities and non-profit organisations in Greater Manchester. Our goal is to find the best way to make a bigger difference together in local areas. Supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

We’ll work with each organisation to improve our knowledge and understanding of communities, opening up a direct and honest dialogue with local people and community leaders so the range of voices from across the region are heard and reflected across our wider programme. Our Community Partnerships Programme aims to create more equitable relationships and meaningful collaboration between community groups and Factory International and to reduce inequality of access to arts and culture.

We hope the 4 organisations in this initial pilot will become critical friends and form part of a wider network of organisations, who all share our ambition of making Manchester a greater place to live, as well as a leading creative and cultural hub; where we invent tomorrow, together.

This is part of a wider Creative Engagement Programme that aims to work with Manchester’s communities at a critical time and to reach many who face inequality of access to high quality artistic experiences - groups whose voices are not heard, nor their lives reflected, within mainstream cultural venues, productions and programmes.

The open call for this programme is currently closed, but please do keep an eye on this page as we share the stories of the 4 pilot organisations and for more partnership opportunities.

Want to partner with Factory International in your community? Contact creativeengagement@factoryinternational.org.