Arts In-Access

Improving the accessibility of opportunities for artists and creatives in Greater Manchester

Arts In-Access is GM Arts’ 1-year project to kick-start a long-term radical shift to embed access, inclusion & collaboration into cultural commissioning across the city region.

We want to co-create a bold shared vision.

Through training, partnerships and immersive learning AIA will unlock equitable opportunities for creatives with lived experience of ableism, racism, homophobia or classism, catalysing Greater Manchester to be a beacon of best practice in fostering & commissioning diverse talent.

Between October 2025 - September 2026 we are working on:

  • Collaborations and co-commissions with GM based artists, organisations and companies to embed inclusion, access and equity, through training, visits and events

  • Recruitment and support of 5 x paid Arts In-Access Critical Friends, GM artists/creatives with lived experience who will inform and shape the legacy of the 12 month project.

  • Co-creation of a charter, pledge, or manifesto by to create a clear and realistic, yet ambitious, road map for a truely inclusive Arts and Culture sector for the entire city region.

  • A public sharing event September 2026.

Meet our Arts In-Access Critical Friends

A white skinned person against a purple background, with shoulder length dark hair, glasses and a white t-shirt with black stars patterned on it. The person is smiling lightly and looking off to the left of the camera.

Ash Cox - Critical Friends Coordinator

A smiling dark-skinned, female-presenting person with hoop earrings, bald, with a black long sleeved top. The person is smiling widely and touching their chest with their left hand, with their right hand moving across their body expressively.

Maz Hedgehog - Critical Friend

A young, white, male-presenting person is facing the camera with a subtle smile. They are against a blue background, with a black high necked top on. Their hair is short, dark brown. They are wearing hearing aids in both ears.

Jay Ottewell - Critical Friend

A young brown-skinned, female presenting person is smiling in a friendly manner. Their curly hair is in two bunches on either side of their head. They are wearing a bright yellow top and looking directly at the camera.

Lekhani Chirwa - Critical Friend

Zha Olu - Critical Friend

Gemma Lees - Critical Friend

Read a blog post reflecting on the Everybody, Everywhere launch event for AIA @ The Lowry