Factory International

Ai Weiwei: Button Up!
History, power and empire collide in this major new exhibition from the world-leading artist and activist Ai Weiwei | from 2 July
Find out more →
What's On ↓
3 - 4 July
Ai Weiwei: Sewing a Button
Ai Weiwei re-enacts his secret detention in Sewing a Button – an unflinching 24-hour live performance
Black-and-white image of Ai Weiwei sitting on a chair beside a simple metal bed against a brick wall.
Summer at Aviva Studios
Ai Weiwei takes over Aviva Studios with Button Up! – plus summer activities, music, Pride celebrations and family fun
Factory Square filled with people sat on the grass and deckchairs, drinking and chatting. The sun is shining.
8 December 2026 – 10 January 2027
Lightroom
Explore two immersive experiences at Aviva Studios this winter: David Bowie: You're Not Alone and Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs
A person looking at five versions of David Bowie singing on a large screen
16 - 27 February 2027
It's a Sin
Rambert and Factory International transform Russell T Davies’ landmark series into a powerful dance story of love and survival – directed and choreographed by Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer
Neon-lit dancers posing inside a glowing triangle frame at a nightclub.

Opening Hours

With a venue like ours, every night is different. Make sure to check our opening hours ahead of your visit to get the most up to date times.

  1. Thursday 2 Jul
    9AM – 11PM
  2. Friday 3 Jul
    9AM – 11PM
    Aviva Studios will be open overnight for the performance of Ai Weiwei: Sewing a Button
  3. Saturday 4 Jul
    MIDNIGHT – 9PM
  4. Sunday 5 Jul
    9AM – 7PM
  5. Monday 6 Jul
    Closed
  6. Tuesday 7 Jul
    9AM – 8PM
  7. Wednesday 8 Jul
    9AM – 11PM

Become a member

The outlines of people walking into the dark Warehouse – with bright lights in the stairway
Be part of something extraordinary. Become a member today for just £5 a month and enjoy a whole year of benefits including priority booking, discounts, offers and much more. Are you in?
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Opportunities

  • Callout: Come As You Really Are

    Be part of a new project for Greater Manchester hobbyists from Hetain Patel, Factory International and Artangel
    Hetain Patel stood by an artwork, which is a brightly patterned car

  • Factory Academy

    Calling all future producers, technicians and arts professionals – explore our free training programmes today
    A camera operator films a live event in the Warehouse, which is filled with people. There is dramatic purple lighting with multiple cameras and bright stage beams.

  • Submit a project

    Propose a project for our Curatorial and Producing teams to review.
    Photo of person standing in front of gallery wall of photos from Portraits of Black Britain

  • Jobs

    View our current job openings at Factory International on our recruitment pages.
    Photo of festival square

  • Artist Development

    This is the place for artists to dream big. Explore all our development opportunities here.
    A group of people watching 54: Manchester's installation in the Warehouse.

Explore online

Discover more on Factory+ →

  • Ai Weiwei: Button Up!

    Explore video interviews, exhibition content and commissioned articles related to our summer exhibition
    Ai Weiwei stood in front of History of Bombs – a giant artwork featuring 50 life-size bombs

  • Factory Settings

    Switch on and step into Factory Settings and access a whole new dimension to Aviva Studios through inventive and playful virtual experiences.
    Aviva Studios x Trespass with vines and greenery covering the building

  • Dream Space Podcast

    What does art have the power or potential to do, when we allow ourselves to dream? We explore this in our podcast, hosted by Gemma Cairney.
    Dream Space podcast artwork, a transparent cube in front of purple hazed clouds.

  • Editor in Residence | Zing Tsjeng

    Zing's takeover draws on the unexpected confluences and solidarities between the ESEA and Irish diaspora living in the shadow of the British Empire
    Headshot of Zing Tsjeng with a blurred glass building in the background

  • In the Studio

    Watch our video series where artists and collectives show us the space where their ideas come to life.
    Marina Abramović in rehearsals of Balkan Erotic Epic

  • Games

    Play games and experiences by some of the most exciting artists working in the digital field.
    A still from Something Beautiful video game, showing a puzzle board in a jungle setting with a carved statue at the far end.

  • An Introduction To

    Get to know the diverse roster of artists, ideas and creative companies we work with.
    A photo of the artist Yayoi Kusama

  • Talks

    Watch talks from artists from across our programme including our Artists in Times of Upheaval series.
    Ai Weiwei in conversation with Low Kee Hong