Railway arches in the centre of Manchester are being turned over to artists and creative freelancers to showcase their work.
HOME Arches on Whitworth Street West is described as a world class, free-to-use, artist development hub and public realm gallery.
Spread across 3 arches, the 258sq m space, which is part of HOME will offer 5000 hours of making, studio and development space for artists and creative freelancers each year, with space for residencies, supported co-working and networking opportunities, plus access to technical equipment and expertise.
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.
“Since opening in 2015, HOME has been committed to supporting, investing in, and providing opportunities for artists across Greater Manchester and the North, from weekly drop-in sessions to commissions across theatre, film and visual arts. 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,” explained Karen O’Neill, CEO of HOME.
“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.”
It will launch with installations from interdisciplinary artist and producer, Sophie Mahon, and Omid Asad, a visual artist born and raised in Iran and now based in Manchester.
Afreena Islam-Wright will deliver a one-off performance of her show LUCKY TONIGHT! which features in this year’s PUSH Festival at HOME.
All 3 artists are from the ‘At HOME with Jerwood’ 12-month residency programme, funded by the Jerwood Foundation, which supports cross art form artists making a step-change in their practice and career.
Omid Asad’s opening show is a stained-glass infusion of colour and light, which will take inspiration from the building’s form and structure “and imbue it with vibrancy and life.”
The central Arch 2, has been recently named the ‘Sir Bob Scott Arch’ to honour one of HOME’s biggest supporters, the former Chair of the Granada Foundation. It is entered directly from HOME, and houses co-working, meeting and networking space for artists, including a meeting/quiet room, IT facilities, lockers and kitchen, plus access to Arches 1 and 3.
Arch 1 features a studio space for up to 60 people, a space for artists to explore their practice and test new ideas and Arch 3 is a double height, creative making facility for up to 30 artists.
“The Granada Foundation is delighted to be able to mark Sir Bob Scott’s many years of supporting culture in the North West by naming the Central Arch of this transformational HOME Arches development in his honour,” said a spokesperson from The Granada Foundation.
“It is a wonderful way to recognise his work in the region on so many fronts and of course his strong support for HOME, and Cornerhouse before that, during his 40 years as Chair of our Foundation.
“The Granada Foundation is dedicated to continuing its work to support arts and science organisations in our region in the years to come under the guidance of our new Chair, Dr Virginia Tandy OBE.”
HOME Arches is funded by the UK Government, Manchester City Council, The Wolfson Foundation, Ask Real Estate, The Foyle Foundation, The Granada Foundation alongside trust, corporate, individual and anonymous contributors.
