Schools and Learning
There is creativity in everyone, at any age.
About
We develop and deliver learning programs with young people and children from Cradle to Creative (the age of 0 through to 30) with a focus on underrepresented children, young people and artists including Free School Meals, Special Education Needs and those at risk of exclusion.
All of our programs have a social and emotional learning outcome and focus on improving mental health, wellbeing and helping young people successfully traisition to adulthood.
Learning programs are linked to Factory International artistic commissions, helping localize big themes for children and young people.
Mission
Access and Opportunity: We develop bespoke creative learning programs for and with underrepresented young people, children and artists. We create opportunity and share access to world-class art, artists and aligned learning programmes.
Power Sharing: We create safe spaces for people to share ideas. We are interested in exploring ways to share ownership of the work we create through building trusting relationships.
Artistic Development: We offer high quality artistic engagement alongside culturally competent and representative artists. We create opportunities for people to be curious, collaborative and think critically.
Transformational Change: We provide intentional pathways to positive and impactful change, and believe in the power of the arts to drive this in peoples lives, society and systems.
Representation: We represent the communities we serve and are committed to including the right voices in the right conversations at the right time to achieve equity and equality in the work we do.
Current Opportunities
Learning Resources
Explore our free learning resources.
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Immersive Learning CPD: Build a world in your classroom
A learning resource to support educators to use immersive narrative to enhance the teaching and learning experience.
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Jungle Book Learning Resources
Explore adventure, community and belonging with learning resources inspired by our Spring production of The Jungle Book
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Lost and Found Learning Resources
Let creativity flow with learning resources inspired by our winter show Lost and Found
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Leeroy New X Ocean Generation Learning Resources
Consider how you can take a creative approach to climate action through our interactive learning resources
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Algorithms
A library of inspirational resources from the creative team behind Free Your Mind
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Yayoi Kusama: You, Me and the Balloons Learning Resources
Discover the wonderful world of Kusama using creative learning resources designed by Manchester artists Princess Arinola Adegbite and Venessa Scott.
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Video Resources
Learning Deep Flow
Dancing with Boy Blue Challenge
Never Ending Patterns
Observing Nature
Drawing with Scissors
Creating a Poetry Image Bank
Plan your visit
If you’re bringing a group of 10 or more to Aviva Studios then please contact groups@factoryinternational.org in advance. Alternatively you can call 0161 817 4531 (phone lines are open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).
If you want to get in contact with our learning team at Factory International, then please contact learning@factoryinternational.org.
For more information about our visitor information, including access and facilities provisions, please visit the Aviva Studios page.
Our Work
As we open our doors to our new home at Factory International, we will be inviting the youngest of our audiences to get involved in a little creative mischief for them to start building their cognitive and social skills.
Our early years programmes are in development but they will harness the power of art, play and creativity to catch little ones’ curiosity and trigger their imagination. One of the first commissions to mark the opening of Factory International will be First Breath – a celebration of new life in the city.
If you have any questions and suggestions, or you would like to partner with us, then please get in touch with us on creativengagement@factoryinternational.org.
Adolescence is the second most prolific period of brain development, building on formative experiences in early years.
Greater exposure to arts and cultural learning not only improves a teenager’s chances of success in their studies and future career, it boosts health and wellbeing.
Our year-round programme of collaborative sessions are inspired by commissioned artists at Factory International. They nurture creativity in the widest sense, from making things to problem solving and critical thinking.
Factory International new school’s partnership programme will be open for applications in Spring 2023. Through this new year-round programme we hope to inspire young people across Greater Manchester to gain confidence from working together, build resilience and develop a deeper sense of empathy as they use art to find meaning in their own lives. To find out more about our schools programmes, please get in touch on creativengagement@factoryinternational.org.
Educational Resources
We have created several activity packs that can be used in classes and group sessions to encourage collaborative learning. Click to download:
Throughout the year, young people can experience what it’s like to work at Factory International with priority given to pupils in our partner schools and colleges who wouldn’t usually get the chance to work in the arts. To find out about becoming a school partner, please get in touch with us at creativengagement@factoryinternational.org.
There is no age limit at Factory International, or on creativity. Curate, design, deconstruct, film, write, reimagine… Anyone can have a go, in any number of ways.
You will use commissioned work as your starting point to question and make sense of the world around you.
Along the way, you will meet new people, pick up a skill or two and find a new perspective on any number of topics – all you need is a sense of curiosity!
Factory International’s Lifelong Learning Programme will launch in Spring 2023 in partnership with our Community Hub partners across Manchester. Get in touch on creativeengagement@factoryinternational.org to find out more.