This city has a cultural reputation that is first rate. First class. Second to none. Second to nowhere.
The Factory, a crucial catalyst for cultural enterprise and production within the St. John’s masterplan, will raise this bar. An exciting part of this dynamic is our commitment to becoming the ongoing home and host to the Manchester International Festival.
A truly striking venue, the vision for the Factory is being realised, over 130,000 sq ft, through the extraordinary architectural ingenuity of world beating design practice, OMA.
Ingeniously configured along the steel bridge and the viaduct at the south west of the site, The Factory has large scale, variable occupancy spaces that can readily accommodate performances ranging from touring theatre shows to the unique, multi-dimensional, avant-garde productions staged by the MIF. Through both this exceptional production capacity and technical sophistication, programmes will be presented all year-round for innovative contemporary work and creative partnerships.
We are committed to attracting a broader demographic than the one that typically attends concert halls, theatres and opera houses in the UK today. The Factory’s audience will be younger, more diverse and more reflective of contemporary Manchester, of a modern world.
Alongside the compelling artistic and cultural benefits, the Factory will also offer significant opportunities for employment, skills educational development.
