This October half-term, Manchester’s Science Museum is inviting young people to transform into the architects, engineers and inventors of tomorrow with a packed family programme exploring the future of our city through art, design and performance.
From 21 October to 5 November, the Science and Industry Museum is handing over its galleries and spaces to community groups and neighbours from across Manchester. From primary school children to artists and performers, the groups will be using their unique outlooks to help visitors explore all the ways the city is evolving.
Visitors can become architects for the day and reimagine the city’s high streets and iconic skyline, discover how to get their voices heard using arts and crafts and explore Manchester’s industrial history through live performances.
Highlights from the programme include a giant interactive model of Openshaw high street, which will give families a unique chance to explore and create high streets of the future. Designed by architect, Laura Sanderson, the hands-on activity will encourage place-makers of tomorrow to create their vision of future communities by designing their own town centres through giant drawing challenges and model making.
Local children from Armitage C of E and All Saints Primary Schools have created a series of special workshops where visitors to the museum can reimagine the city’s skyline.
Participants will transform into engineers, rebuilding Manchester from viewpoints around the museum’s site. Inspiring stories from the city’s community will also be shared during pop-up events, including Dukinfield Craft Café who are using craft to explore the impact of the closure of their community swimming pool. Visitors can join them to explore the relationship between water and wellbeing through listening to and sharing stories about water and contributing to a collaborative string of bunting.
Friends and neighbours from across the city will also be hosting activities in the museum. This includes Manchester Museum, whose rickshaw will be on display over the holidays for visitors to adorn with sustainable decorations celebrating Manchester’s South Asian community. Visit the museum’s website for a list of partners.
This special holiday programme has been created in partnership with friends and partners across the city as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s new City Sparks community programme.
Ruth Murray Community Partnerships Manager said:
“We’re so excited to be bringing together partners, friends and neighbours from across Manchester this October half term. The Science and Industry Museum is home to ideas that change the world, from Manchester and beyond. It’s our mission to inspire the next generation of creators, engineers and inventors, and we can’t wait to see our visitors’ ideas about the future of our amazing city.
“There’s something for everyone as we invite visitors to take part in hands-on activities and special installations to answer important questions about our futures. This is the first year of our new City Sparks programme and we’re thrilled to see such varied ideas from across our city come together to make a fun-filled half term holiday.”
