GM Arts named in Greater Manchester Culture Fund portfolio for 2026–29
The GM Arts Network, a partnership spanning all ten districts of Greater Manchester working together to increase access, creativity and collaboration, has been named in the Greater Manchester Culture Fund portfolio for 2026–29.
Funded through the Culture Fund's Spirit & Sustain strand, GM Arts Spirit 2026–29 is a three-year programme that brings together local authority and cultural partners from across all ten boroughs to build more accessible, connected cultural participation. The network's long-term goal is a creative workforce that reflects the city-region's diverse demographics, enriching and growing the cultural offer for communities in every borough.
The investment will support a three-year programme in which all ten GM Arts member organisations will work together to build more accessible, connected cultural participation. The network's long-term goal is a creative workforce that reflects the city-region's diverse demographics, enriching and growing the cultural offer for communities in every borough.
"Being named in the Greater Manchester Culture Fund portfolio for 2026–29 is a landmark moment for the GM Arts Network. This investment strengthens our ability to build access, creativity and collaboration across all ten boroughs, working alongside GM Arts member organisations, artists and communities to create new opportunities for culture to reach further and do more." - Richard Evans, Creative Industries Coordinator, Waterside Arts
A three-year focus:
The programme brings together activity across three strands, with a focus on diversity, representation and removing barriers to cultural participation:
Access Bursaries: Small opportunities supporting artists and creative practitioners to progress their professional development.
Creative Networks: Activity helping artists and creative practitioners connect with each other, access training, and take up local and regional opportunities.
Place-Based Cluster Activities: Collaborative commissioned activity designed and delivered with local partners.
About the Greater Manchester Culture Fund
The Greater Manchester Culture Fund is a £15 million investment by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), distributed over three years across more than 40 cultural organisations of all shapes and sizes in the city-region, with nine funded for the first time. The Fund supports culture and opportunity across all ten Greater Manchester boroughs.