Factory International

The Welcome

11 - 19 Nov 2023

Tickets

Most of The Welcome is free to come along to and drop-in on the day. Explore our events to find out more about what’s on each day and plan your visit.

Accessibility features available for this event: Audio Description Relaxed Performance BSL Interpreting Wheelchair Access

We’re celebrating the opening of our new space with a spectacular series of events and performances chosen by the people of Greater Manchester – and everyone is welcome!

Over nine days this November, we’re filling every inch of Aviva Studios with a cultural celebration like no other. Wander from showstopping live performances to immersive installations. The Welcome is a celebration of Greater Manchester, its people and our building.

The Welcome is curated by the Factory Assembly, a wonderful group of local residents who have spent the past two years working on a dream programme. We asked them, if you had the run of this place, what would you do and who would you invite? Together, we can’t wait to share the results with people from all over Greater Manchester and beyond.

The Welcome showcases the full spectrum of talent across our region alongside international names too. Explore Filipino artist-designer Leeroy New’s latest installation Balete Spacecraft, which lands in the Social. Celebrate the people who make our city great with our larger-than-life community portraits in Inside Out: This Is Manchester. Or peek behind the scenes of the Aviva Studios build with Ming de Nasty’s portraits of our construction workers, Under Construction.

There’s also a free programme of music featuring the city’s hottest acts. Plus Cirque Kalabanté roll into town with their dynamic show, Afrique en Cirque. Pause and take a moment for mindfulness with the tai chi and qigong-inspired Deep Flow or get stuck into the action with our Street Culture Takeover. With plenty of chances to learn a new skill or even make a new friend, there’s something for everyone.

Curious about Aviva Studios? Join Factory Assembly and a vibrant mix of artists, musicians and communities for a celebration of Manchester’s newest hub.

And with our free programme of workshops, music, film screenings and more – there’s always something to enjoy. Pop by this November and see for yourself.

Most of The Welcome is free to come along to and drop-in on the day. Explore our events to find out more about what’s on each day and plan your visit. 

Presented by the Factory Assembly and supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and The Granada Foundation.

What's On

  • Kalabanté Productions: Afrique en Cirque

    11 – 15 NOVEMBER | Kalabanté Productions roll into town with their dynamic, high-energy celebration of Guinean culture

  • Ming de Nasty: Under Construction

    11 – 19 NOVEMBER | Celebrate the unseen work and workers that have built Aviva Studios with these powerful portraits from Ming de Nasty

  • Leeroy New: Balete Spacecraft

    11 – 19 NOVEMBER | Artist-designer Leeroy New takes over the Social at Aviva Studios with a colourful commentary on consumerism

  • Inside Out: This is Manchester

    11 – 19 NOVEMBER | Celebrate the faces who make Manchester with these larger-than-life portraits of the best of us

  • The Welcome: Community Takeover

    11 – 19 NOVEMBER | Celebrate The Welcome with a series of free events at Aviva Studios

  • Street Culture Takeover

    18 NOVEMBER | We’re bringing the rebellious spirit of the streets inside with a day packed with the best of Manchester’s rich street culture

  • Deep Flow public workshops

    19 NOVEMBER | Find your flow in choreography workshops led by Company Chameleon – then take part in a mass group performance

  • Company Chameleon: Deep Flow

    19 NOVEMBER | Find your flow in this mass movement choreography from Company Chameleon and the people of Greater Manchester

  • 100 Waving Kites

    Autumn term | Primary School-aged children will learn how to make unique kites which will be transformed in an inspiring installation by Get It Done

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