HOME Arches – a new, free to use, space for artist development – is due for completion in early 2025.
HOME, Manchester’s arts centre and a registered charity, worked with Jon Matthews Architects to deliver the world class development, opening in HOME’s tenth anniversary year, with the aim of turning a forgotten space into a place of hope.
The three arches on Whitworth Street West, spread across 258 sqm, will be transformed into artist development spaces that are both functional and aesthetic. Half of this space will be dedicated to artists from groups currently underrepresented in the industry, including members of the Global Majority, d/Deaf and disabled artists, and artists from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
The new space, funded by the UK Government, Manchester City Council, The Wolfson Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, The Granada Foundation alongside trust, corporate, individual and anonymous supporters, will deliver 5,000 free hours of making, studio and development space for artists and creative freelancers, with space for residencies, supported co-working and networking opportunities, plus access to technical equipment and expertise.
New exhibition space in the custom built Arches Windows will have the ability to present a range of work from sculptural to digital, creating valuable new commissioning public realm opportunities, whilst creating a new road frontage for one of the main arteries of the city.
HOME Arches will become a much needed Artist Development Hub for the city, vital to creating a vibrant and diverse artistic ecology within the North-West where artists can thrive. This essential, new, free to use, space, available to theatre makers, visual artists and filmmakers across Greater Manchester and the North West, will support the clear need for additional, affordable productive workspace in the city centre.
Karen O’Neill, CEO of HOME, said: “HOME Arches has been a key part of our strategy for artists’ development for many years, so to be opening these new spaces in 2025, our 10-year anniversary, is really special.
“HOME Arches will provide high quality free space and facilities for artists to develop work, create, share ideas and continue to be supported by HOME’s Artist Development programmes. The investment and support for the Arches by our funders, donors and supporters confirms that Manchester values culture, and the city continues to grow as a place that artists and creativity can thrive in. HOME is excited for the Arches to be part of Manchester’s world leading cultural sector.”
Film producer, and artist panel member, Loran Dunn said: “The impact The Arches will have for the Artists in the city cannot be underestimated. Not only does it send a very clear message that HOME is not only supportive of, but a driver of artist development, but this is a unique chance for artists to have ownership over a professional space, to make, create and exhibit work, meaning we are very likely to see innovative groundbreaking work developed and tested here in Manchester, that will travel with international acclaim.”
Plans have been developed in collaboration with HOME’s Artist Panel, to ensure the new space accurately represents and serves the freelance artistic community.
Arch 1 will house a fully equipped studio space for up to 60 people, a space for artists to explore their practice and test new ideas. It will be a double height, flexible space with black-out capability, a high level of soundproofing, as well as facilities including a sprung dance floor and lighting/sound rig, showers and toilets.
The entrance point for Arch 2 will be directly from HOME, and will also provide access to Arches 1 and 3. It will feature a co-working, meeting and networking space for artists, including a meeting/quiet room, IT facilities, lockers and kitchen.
Arch 3 will be a double height, creative making facility for up to 12 artists to collaborate across disciplines, creating work in an environment made for experimentation.
Windows of all three arches facing Whitworth Street West will be used to showcase work created by artists to the pedestrian audience of up to 750,000.
Artists who would like to find out more about HOME Arches (pictured in CGI) can do so by contacting the Artist Development team on [email protected] or call 0161 212 3404.
