Factory International

Fashion events

Manchester is a city that never stands still, and has always been a beacon for culture in the UK. Our building pays homage to the city, and is a place to make a real statement.

Photo of a model on a catwalk

MAKE A STATEMENT

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Manchester is a city that never stands still. Once known as Cottonopolis in the mid-19th century due to the volume of cotton mills, is has always been a beacon for fashion in the UK.

Borne out of Manchester International Festival, Aviva Studios is a landmark cultural venue that is proud to have worked with artists like Laurie Anderson, Damon Albarn, Skepta, Janelle Monáe, the XX, Elbow, New Order, Johnny Vegas and Kraftwerk.

Whatever your ideas are, we provide the perfect blank canvas to bring them to life. Soaring, flexible spaces and a dedicated team of technical experts allow you to create something truly unique. From expansive catwalks, to an informal presentation, or even collaborating with one of our unique exhibitions, you can do something completely different here.

In the heart of the city, our awe- inspiring spaces provide an industrial setting but with a modern feel.

It's limitless, isn't it? It's sort of intoxicating in terms of the ideas that pop up and what you could do. It's pretty inspiring.

Adam Smith, Chemical Brothers collaborator

Photograph of Aviva Studios

The place we call home

Formerly the cotton capital of the world, Manchester was the first truly industrial city

3rd most visited city for international tourists to the UK

2nd biggest music economy in the UK

3rd best city in the world, according to Time Out readers in September 2021

2nd most creative city in Europe, with a GVA of £1.4bn to the city from culture and creative industries

Photo of the audience watching Free Your Mind in the Hall

History in the making

Listed in TimeOut’s ‘23 Best Things to Do in the World in 2023’

UK’s largest cultural landmark since the Tate Modern

We've got something special

Over 15 years’ experience producing the globally renowned Manchester International Festival

Diverse team of 16 in-house experts covering all aspects of production

Access to technical expertise in lighting, sound and more

We're shapeshifters

We have four unique, industrial yet modern spaces – the Warehouse, the Hall, the Public Realm and the Social – that flex to your needs.

A retractable wall allows you to reconfigure the space into the North and South Warehouse

Acoustic separation and allowing multi- use across the venue at any one time

Direct articulated truck access

Anchor points in the wall to support any kind of mount or rigging

Universal technical grid across the ceiling

Supplementing Riverside Square, the Undercroft runs below Aviva Studios, creating a covered external space and enabling filming to take place year-round

External power supply WiFi provision within the Undercroft

Connected to neighbouring St John’s business and leisure district

AV, stage and lighting inclusions available

Varying stage depths

Flexible stall seating, or can be removed entirely

Tiered seating

Wheelchair access on all levels

Foyer bars, with impressive views across the city

Proscenium wall with option to connect to the Warehouse

Contact us

Contact our events team to find out more:

events@factoryinternational.org

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