Skyliner presents Public Art and Spatial Freedom
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9 - 16 Jul 2023
Ticketing Hub, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
The tour starts at the Ticketing Hub at Aviva Studios and has step-free access. The tour will last 120 minutes covering a maximum distance of 2.5km. Please find access provision for Aviva Studios below.
Age Guidance: Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult over 18
Running time: 1.5 - 2 hours approx.
Accessibility features available for this event: Wheelchair Access
We took in Manchester’s fabled street art and graffiti in this thought-provoking tour led by Skyliner
When we liberate art from galleries does the audience change? Does the narrative?
The alternative tour guide Skyliner led this critical thinking tour of public art and the history of graffiti. Exploring the interactions and tensions between urban art practice and development, it ventured to the suburbs of post-industrial Manchester and explored how street art triggered cultural growth.
The tour followed the journey of street art from grassroots to commerce and explored how digital reimaginings of sculpture and street art bring new voices and stories to the streets. It featured a specially commissioned mural by Qubek.
Access information
Here you can find access information about the venue, our access performances and advice on content. For more information about the different types of access performances we offer, please visit our Access page. If you have specific access needs that aren’t yet addressed, please email access@factoryinternational.org prior to the event and we’ll do our best to help.
The Ticketing Hub is located in the outdoor spaces at Aviva Studios, Factory International's new home. The full address is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ and what3words is chop.feeds.chase.
There is step-free access to all areas of our outdoor spaces at Aviva Studios. There are a range of seating options around the space, as well as picnic tables, including wheelchair accessible tables. The bars have a lowered accessible service area
Toilets are available inside Aviva Studios. Accessible toilets (a mixture of wheelchair accessible cubicles with right- or left-hand transfer, as well as ambulant accessible cubicles with grab rails) are located in the brick arches in the Social.
There are additional accessible toilets located in both the Hall Foyers.
You do not need a key to use the accessible toilets.
Assistance dogs are welcome at Aviva Studios, and we can provide mats and water bowls on request.
At the end of the tour, participants were invited to explore a small, dark space. They were in groups of six, using torches. Although the space was small, there were no trip hazards, and there was low lighting rather than pitch black. Attendees were very welcome to let the tour guide know if they would prefer not to take part in this section.
Travel information
Below you can find information on how to get to the venue.
The Ticketing Hub at Aviva Studios can be approached along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).
Our closest stations are:
Salford Central station: 0.4 miles
Deansgate station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram: 0.6 miles
St Peter’s Square tram: 0.6 miles
Manchester Victoria station is approximately one mile from Aviva Studios
Manchester Piccadilly station is approximately 1.3 miles from Aviva Studios
Click on the links above to find detailed access information for each station.
Free bus services stop at all city-centre stations, and near to Aviva Studios along Deansgate, Bridge St and Quay St. Buses on these free routes are wheelchair accessible. For full details of the free bus routes, please visit the TfGM website.
There is a car park approximately 0.6 miles from the event entrance at Water Street Car Park, New Elm Rd, Manchester, M3 4JH.
There is also a NCP car park (Manchester Spinningfields) approximately 0.5 miles away from the venue at Spinningfields, New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3BE. It has 35 accessible bays.
There are a small number of Blue Badge spaces along Water St and Quay St. Otherwise head towards Liverpool Road, Great John St and Lower Byrom St – close to our neighbours, the Science and Industry Museum where there are a small number of additional Blue Badge spaces.
For a list of other parking bays available in the area, visit Manchester City Council website.