Factory International

The Welcome: Community Takeover

Free to attend. No booking required.
Photo of two people dancing
Date
11 - 19 Nov 2023
Venue
Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Tickets
FREE
Free to attend. No booking required.

Accessibility features available for this event: BSL Interpreting Wheelchair Access

Celebrate The Welcome with a series of free events at Aviva Studios – featuring creative workshops, artist talks and kids’ activities

Join us for a brilliant series of events, showcasing the diversity of Manchester’s creative and community organisations. Enjoy a programme of free activities as part of The Welcome – our celebration to mark the opening of Aviva Studios, curated by Factory Assembly.

Communities are the foundations of a city, and that’s why we’re holding space for Greater Manchester’s communities as part of The Welcome – shining a light on the organisations that make a real difference to the lives of so many across the region. This space is for all the people of Greater Manchester, and we hope it holds something for you.

Try a new skill with one of our free workshops led by local creatives. Learn about radical artists with the Inclusive Art History Club or recycle your favourite garment with an upcycling session. Song writing, poetry or Brazilian drumming – we’ve got you covered.

Looking to chill? Relax with some quieter activities including film screenings, panel discussions and a well-being walk to soothe the mind. Learn more about the artists exhibiting at The Welcome as we talk to Leeroy New about Balete Spacecraft and Ming de Nasty about Under Construction.

There are plenty of activities to occupy the kids too – from storytelling to yoga and circus skills. Let us entertain them with an animal puppet theatre featuring a very cheeky squirrel.

You can try it all at Aviva Studios – just drop by The Welcome this November. There’s always something on.

Explore what's on

CREATED BY THE PEOPLE OF GREATER MANCHESTER

The Welcome is a series of events celebrating the opening of Aviva Studios, curated by the Factory Assembly. Representing a cross-section of the people of Greater Manchester, we’re calling the shots with a programme that brings together the best in circus, street culture, music, food, art and more.

Meet the Factory Assembly →

Resources

Access information

Our full address is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ and the what3words is chop.feeds.chase.

There are accessible toilets on all public levels of Aviva Studios.

A mixture of wheelchair accessible toilets 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 in both Hall Foyers.

You do not need a key to use the accessible toilets.

Aviva Studios is a new purpose-built cultural space in the heart of Manchester. The entrance to our building is through double glass doors. There are automatic doors at both entrances.

Once inside, there is step-free access to all areas of the venue. You will arrive into the Social, a large public space where there are a range of seats (including those with arms), a bar and toilets (including accessible toilets).

The bars in the Social and Hall Foyer have lowered accessible service points.

If you need to bring an assistance dog to this event, please contact access@factoryinternational.org.

Travel information

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 Aviva Studios 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 Aviva Studios 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.

Become a member

Experience extraordinary, all year round by becoming a Member. It’s just £45 for 12 months of benefits including priority booking, discounts, offers and much more. Are you in?

Join Now →

Related Content

Sign up ↓