Sponsors sought for upcoming exhibition at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery

The Manchester Academy of Fine Arts (MAFA) is seeking sponsors from the local business community to support its upcoming exhibition, Artful Remembrance, at the Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery.

The exhibition will run from 12th September to 29th October 2026, with works exploring art as a means of commemorating and cherishing the lives of others or ourselves, and for remembering significant events, places, objects or people. The theme connects with the Gallery’s unique origins: it was built in 1925 to the designs of James Theodore Halliday as the town’s principal memorial to those who died in the First World War. It is the only purpose-built space combining remembrance with cultural engagement, and was designed to offer beauty and healing after the conflict.

MAFA’s aim is engage and involve visitors and artists alike by encouraging a contemplation of the meanings of works and what visual art can do without verbal means. The Artful Remembrance proposal follows on from VOYAGES, last year’s exhibition at Manchester Cathedral. MAFA will be working in collaboration with Stockport Poets group ‘Write out Loud’ on the project, and is also interested in engaging pupils at a local school.

During the last few years, the area around Stockport Art Gallery has been under development with renewal of the community at its heart. Stopford Park is planned as a gateway into a life of culture, arts and entertainment, and Cityheart presented their vision for the future at MAFs Connections exhibition at the gallery in 2024.

By sponsoring the Artful Remembrance exhibitions, Stockport businesses can align themselves with the renewal of culture and the arts in the town, and support community involvement and collaboration with creatives. For the exhibition’s lead sponsor, benefits are expected to include:

• Brand Visibility
  • Sponsor name and logo prominently featured on the exhibition website, catalogue, flyers
  • Acknowledgement across exhibition digital communications of MAFA and Stockport Council
• On?Site Presence
  • Sponsor name/logo displayed on exhibition banner signage, posters, as discussed with venue
  • Sponsor name/logo displayed within the venue, vertical banner
  • Sponsor name/logo displayed if sponsoring any award/s, purchase prizes
  • Verbal acknowledgement during opening night welcome remarks, an invitation to speak alongside guest speaker
  • Invitation for company Representative to join Award Selection Team on Sunday 6th September
• Opening Night Privileges
  • VIP access – on a day prior to general admission at the Opening Event
  • Priority invitation – to the Private View
  • Provide a social experience – in a stimulating and engaging visual setting
  • Guaranteed guest allocation
  • Opportunity – Meet and converse with exhibitors, community representatives

To express an interest in sponsoring the upcoming Artful Remembrance exhibition at the Stockport War Memorial Gallery, contact MAFA President, Janina Cerbertowicz for further information.