Manchester’s summer-long public art trail Music for the Senses has delivered a major boost for the city’s creative economy, generating £200,000 in direct support for local artists and creative businesses.
Created by global art producer Wild in Art, the project saw over £162,000 reinvested into Manchester’s creative community through artist commissions, local production and partnerships, alongside £35,000 raised at auction through the sale of artist-decorated and musician-donated guitars. The auction proceeds helped to launch the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund, managed by Forever Manchester, which is now open and designed to support emerging musicians to get out on tour, covering vital costs like transport, engineers and promotion.
Running from July to September 2025, Music for the Senses turned Manchester into a living gallery celebrating the city’s world-famous relationship with music. Across 88 artworks, from the Cathedral of Sound installation at St Peter’s Square, and Mayfield Park, to Guitar Street on King Street (both by Lazerian), visitors encountered murals, mosaics, sculptures and digital experiences inspired by the city’s soundtrack.
At the heart of the trail were the 55 guitars, either donated by the likes of Oasis, New Order, Elbow, Peter Hook, Busted, Doves, Pixies, PINS and Mani, or reimagined as unique works of art by some incredible artists, that were visited by thousands before going under the hammer.
The trail brought the city together on a huge scale, attracting more than 226,000 active participants and generating an estimated £13.3 million total economic impact, including £8.7 million of direct spending.
Ben Reed, Head of Creative Development at Wild in Art said: “Music for the Senses has been an incredible celebration of Manchester’s musical DNA, connecting artists, venues, businesses and the public through creativity. It’s been about more than art on the streets; it’s been about what happens when a city unites behind its culture. The trail directly supported hundreds of local artists and makers and raised funds to help grassroots musicians take their music out on the road.”
Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester’s creative industries are a key part of our economy and who we are as a city. Music for the Senses showed what happens when creativity, community and business come together. It brought people into the city, celebrated our musical heritage, created real benefit for local artists and venues, and had an economic impact on the city that speaks for itself. The additional support it is now also creating for new and emerging musicians is great and very much complements the support we’re giving to local grassroots live music venues in the city. It’s been a brilliant example of Manchester at its best during a summer that truly belonged to music.”
