Manchester City Centre’s new arts complex Factory is set to have a new name
Aviva, Manchester City Council and Factory International today announce a long-term partnership which includes landmark support for Manchester’s iconic new arts and culture venue to be named Aviva Studios
The venue, which will be the home of Factory International, is predicted to add £1.1 billion to the economy of Manchester and the surrounding region over a decade. It will support up to 1,500 direct and indirect jobs and provide training and engagement opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The multi-million pound investment by Aviva, the UK’s leading insurance, wealth and retirement business, will make a substantial contribution to the building and future success of this world-class venue – a resource for Manchester, the North, and the UK for many years to come.
Audiences will be invited to preview the trailblazing cultural space during this year’s Manchester International Festival which opens on the 29th June.
Aviva Studios’ official opening will be in October with the production Free Your Mind, a large-scale immersive performance based on The Matrix films and created by Danny Boyle, Es Devlin, Sabrina Mahfouz and the co-founders of Olivier Award-winning Boy Blue.
Programmed and operated by Factory International, the organisation behind the world-renowned Manchester International Festival, the new venue will host a year-round programme of original creative work, music and special events by some of the world’s leading artists. Its development is the largest investment in a national cultural project since the opening of Tate Modern in 2000, thanks to £106m of public funding from HM Government and Arts Council England, with additional backing from Manchester City Council.
Aviva will also work closely with Factory International and Manchester City Council on a number of initiatives linked to long-term sustainability and community impact. This includes being the Principal Partner of the Factory Academy, Factory International’s award-winning skills training programme which provides opportunities for careers in Manchester’s ever-growing creative industries. A core aim of the Factory Academy is to diversify the workforce in an increasingly important sector for the region. As part of Factory International’s affordable pricing strategy, which will see discounted tickets for those who need them across the year-round programme, Aviva will also support its £10 ticket scheme, to be known as ‘Aviva £10 Tickets’.
Amanda Blanc, Group Chief Executive Officer, Aviva said:
“Aviva is thrilled to be backing this new, world-class arts building in Manchester. It builds on Aviva’s leading role in the UK, serving more than 15 million customers, employing 16,000 people, and investing billions each year into the UK’s regional economy.
Bev Craig, Leader, Manchester City Council:
“Aviva Studios, as the home of Factory International, will be a nationally and internationally important cultural attraction in the heart of Manchester. This multi-year, multi-million pound partnership reflects the magnitude of the venue not just for the city but for the north of England and the UK as a whole.
