Greater Manchester cultural and community projects awarded £300,000 grant funding

Eight cultural projects across the city-region have secured a share of £300,000 from Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) Collaborate fund.

The fund aims to support organisations and individuals work together in new and innovative ways to strengthen Greater Manchester’s cultural sector. Projects selected to receive investment support the fund’s aims to drive economic growth, empower communities, spark creativity, and promote inclusive, safe environments.

Cllr Neil Emmott, Greater Manchester Lead for Culture, said:

“The Collaborate fund is all about connection – bringing together communities, local authorities, cultural organisations and individuals to work in new and creative ways. 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.” 

The Collaborate grant funding is part of a wider ambition to embed culture into all aspects of life in Greater Manchester and to ensure the benefits of creative engagement span across the city-region in an inclusive manner. 

The eight successful projects are: 

• Castlefield Gallery – ANEW Decade
• Greater Manchester Arts Sustainability Network (GMAST)
• Hope Mill Theatre – SYNC
• Keisha Thompson – Pan-African Congress 80th Anniversary Strategy
• The Octagon – Building Bridges
• Reform Radio – Beyond
• TiPP – Next Stop
• Venture Arts – Strands

By investing in collaboration through the fund, GMCA aims to build a strong foundation for long-term impact by creating networks and partnerships that continue to grow well beyond the life of each project.