Manchester Art Fair is back for 2023 and after a record-breaking year in 2022, it’s promising to be bigger and better than ever.
With more than 13,000 visitors last year and a whopping £798,405 made in art sales over the three-day event (up around 58% and 60% on 2021, respectively), the scale of this beloved annual event is
Starting out back in 2008 and now into its 15th year, Manchester Art Fair has gradually become one of the largest and most significant art fairs in the UK and not only encourages people to better engage with local art and culture but also makes viewing and buying quality art accessible and enjoyable.
This city has such a rich artistic history and continues to platform creators from all around the world — this year’s Manchester International Festival being a perfect example — it’s only right that we continue to keep that heritage alive and grow it even further.
As a result of last year’s success, Manchester Art Fair tickets early this time to meet the unprecedented demand and have even increased the floor size by a whole 35% to make room for even more artists.
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In addition to further galleries and artists being able to host exhibits, not to mention more space for visitors to stand back and appreciate the works on display, The Manchester Contemporary will once again accompany the main fair, focusing on artist-led spaces and charitable organisations.
Over 170 UK and international individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces will show, with new entrants such as Demif Gallery, British Art Portfolio, Art Court and Bristol’s First Contemporary; returning exhibitors include Saul Hay Gallery, Hidden Gallery and Carnes Fine Art, among many others.
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Manchester Art Fair 2023 will also deliver an extended programme of activities to accompany the fair, with exclusive drops of limited-edition prints, workshops for all ages and a sculpture pavilion, as well as even more artist talks and Q&As. There’ll even be advice on how to build your own art collections.
Speaking ahead of this year’s massive event, director Sophie Helm said: “We can’t wait to bring the community built by Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary back together in November.
“Once again, we are stepping up our ambitions for the fair… This year’s programme features an exciting breadth of names, many of whom will be joining us in person to share the inspiration behind their work and journey as an artist.
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“We look forward to also setting a new record for the Manchester Contemporary Art Fund, as we commit to tripling this year’s fund for Manchester Art Gallery’s public collection. One of the most significant philanthropic art funds in the country, it’s a foundation of which Greater Manchester can be proud, providing the opportunity for people to enjoy art for years to come.”
Manchester Art Fair 2023 opens on Friday 17 November from 5-9pm and runs until Sunday, 19 November. The full list of opening hours as well as all info on the exhibitions can be found HERE and you can grab your tickets NOW.
Manchester’s iconic Vimto statue to be removed for repair – with Aitch-sponsored sculpture in its place
Daisy Jackson
One of the city’s most familiar landmarks will soon be leaving its spot in town, as the iconic Vimto statue is removed.
The sculpture has been in Vimto Park off Sackville Street since 1992, and consists of a giant Vimto bottle surrounded by oversized fruit.
But the art piece dedicated to Manchester’s most famous drink has weathered (it’s made of wood, after all) and will have to be dismantled in the coming months for an undisclosed period of time.
This will be the second time the Vimto statue has undergone maintenance work, having last received a colourful paint job in 2011.
Worry not, though, Manchester – a new sculpture, dedicated to another local drinks brand, is already in the works until our beloved Vimto statue returns.
Local rapper Aitch, who launched his own drinks brand SYPS last year, has decided to make good use of the space.
A gigantic statue of a SYPS can is to be installed later this year in place of the Vimto statue, created by a local artist.
I don’t know why any of you are surprised – there haven’t been many product launches or marketing opportunities that Aitch hasn’t jumped on this year.
Rave in the Super Awesome Deluxe burger takeaway? Done it.
‘Launching’ Joe & The Juice back into Manchester? Done that too.
Performing on a train to launch a limited-edition Southern Comfort called ‘Northern Comfort’? Yes, that also happened.
Aitch is funding a temporary SYPS statue in place of the Vimto statue in Manchester
He’s now announced that he’ll be funding a new statue for the city centre while our beloved Vimto statue is gone.
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “While it’s a shame to see our beloved Vimto statue leave the city centre, it’s important that this landmark is preserved for the future before it’s too late.
“When Aitch kindly offered to fill the space in Vimto Park with a SYPS sculpture, how could we say no?”
Aitch said in a statement: “I couldn’t leave my Manny without a drinks statue, could I? Also happy April Fool’s day you idiots.”
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Danny Jones -
13th July 2023 
