Manchester is currently building The Factory, a world-class cultural space in the heart of the city – and a year-round home for Manchester International Festival, where we’ll stage one of Europe’s most ambitious and adventurous year-round creative programmes. Inspired by our city’s unmatched history of innovation, it will present bold new work by the world’s most exciting artists.

The Factory will open with a series of special events to welcome people to the building. We’d love to hear your thoughts on what might inspire you, your family and your friend to join us at one or more of these opening events – and perhaps even help us to shape the events and choose the artists who could create or perform at them.

We’re opening the doors of our Zoom chatroom on Tuesday 9 March and Monday 29 March to talk more about possible ways in which we might welcome people to The Factory, and we’d be delighted if you could join us. The chats will each last about an hour and a half, and you can book a free place. Alternatively, if you can’t make the Zoom sessions or you’d prefer to share your thoughts in writing, please fill out our survey here. Whether we hear from you in person or in writing, your thoughts and ideas will help us to shape an exciting opening programme for our extraordinary future home.

If you have any access requirements or any specific questions, please email creativeengagement@mif.co.uk – we’d of course be happy to help.