What is the GM Arts Network?

We are a strategic network across all 10 of Greater Manchester’s districts who come together in a shared mission to ‘get more people, being more creative, more often’.

Our background

We have been exchanging expertise and maximising resources for the benefit of all GM districts and residents since the 1990’s. Our current strategic group members represent all ten districts of Greater Manchester, and we continue to be committed to collaborative working and the delivery of high- quality cultural content.

Find out more about our current projects.

2019-2022

In 2019, Greater Manchester Combined Authority funded GM Arts to deliver programmes across the city region as part of the Great Place scheme and the new Cultural Portfolio. Key outputs during this period included the commission This place [of mine] with Future Everything, and Cap & Dove with Joshua Sofaer and Rule of Threes. You can read more about our broader response to lockdown through our report here.

Pre-2018

Established as a network of Arts Officers across the ten local authorities, GM Arts received support via the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and Arts Council England to deliver on a range of projects including Streets Ahead Festivals, the Big Digital Project, Networked Narrative, and See it, Say it, Do it! Find out more.

GM Arts: Strategic Group

Meet the team

Rachel Wood, Cultural Partnerships Manager, Oldham Council (Chair)

Naomi Lewis, Head of Salford Museums and Galleries, Salford Community Leisure (Deputy Chair)

Zoe Williams, Culture Lead, Manchester City Council

Lee Brennan, Creative Events and Programmes Producer, Rochdale Borough Council

Marie Holland, Arts and Engagement Manager, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

Jo Lewis, Principle Project Officer - Creativity and Culture, Bolton Council

Darren Adams, Art Centre Manager - Waterside, Trafford Council

Bianca Prince, Senior Creative Producer - Stockroom, Stockport Council

Helen Seddon, Assistant Business Partner - Culture and Events, Wigan Council

Sarah Evans, Arts and Museums Officer, Bury Council

Support team:

Hannah Gaunt, Network Coordinator, Freelance

Jess Fernhart, Project Manager, Freelance (Maternity Leave)

Louise Fazackerley, Spirit Project Maternity Cover

Katy Haldenby, Business Support Officer, Salford Community Leisure

Find out more about GM Creative Networks here.

More people, more creative, more often.

GM Arts is a consortium of the ten districts of Greater Manchester who collaborate on a mission to increase creative opportunities for our communities. We were established over 20 years ago, but our vision for creativity and culture is bold and fresh.