The Manchester Contemporary | Manchester Art Fair

Bringing Leading International and UK Contemporary Art to Manchester

Taking place alongside Manchester Art Fair, The Manchester Contemporary takes a uniquely artist-focused approach, inviting the most exciting international and UK galleries to participate.

With careful selection and bold curatorial vision, The Manchester Contemporary showcases the strength of the UK’s regional artists and galleries alongside key international presentations that can only be seen in Manchester.

The Manchester Contemporary 2024 was supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund

The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund was founded by Hetherington in 2017 with the aim of supporting rising artists, providing them with a platform through which to achieve critical acclaim and greater popularity.

Joined by a group of businesspeople and individuals passionate about their city, over the last eight years and including this year’s record funds, The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund has raised £86,000 to be spent on art for inclusion in Manchester Art Gallery.

This has seen 31 works acquired including two from Rogue Artist Studios in Openshaw (under the collective Rogue Women), and one from Venture Arts studios in Hulme – bridging the gap between the vital grassroots support system that artist studios offer, and representation within a 200-year-old collection.

The 2024 Manchester Contemporary Art Fund’s Members Include: Christian Anderton, Lisa Ashurst, Pepin Aslett, Jo & Tom Bloxham, Andrew & Savitha Calthorpe, Frank & Cherryl Cohen, Dan Cornwell & Carrie Eyre, Gill Crook, Jon & Rebecca Drape, James & Katie Eden, Matthew Frost, Mark Garner, Emma Holden, Mark & Toni Hawthorn, Thom Hetherington & Sophie Helm, Sam Jones, Nicolas Konig, Jack Livingstone, Alison Loveday, Kate & Leon Martyn, Sarah Moulson, Lucy Noone Blake & David Blake, Howard Ratcliffe & Melissa Ratcliffe, Jeremy & Jane Roberts and Jon Sharples & Martyn Torevell.

Curated by Nat Pitt

Nathaniel Pitt, founder of Division of Labour, continues as Curator of The Manchester Contemporary. He oversees the exhibitor roster, as well as advising on collector development and strategic partnerships, further strengthening TMC’s relationships with collectors, exhibitors and institutions in the UK and worldwide.

“I am really impressed with how Manchester’s art scene has developed in recent years and The Manchester Contemporary has been integral to this. There is no shortage of potential art buyers in the region, and the fair is vital to inspire and develop a significant audience of collectors.”
Frank Cohen Art Collector