Culture in the North is Our Passion

Organised by EASELprojects, Manchester Art Fair is the largest art fair outside of London selling modern & contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography and editioned prints from a selection of UK and international galleries.

Launched in 2008, highlights from the past 17 years include a charity auction of Damian Hirst doodles, the development of The Manchester Contemporary with Arts Council England, charity limited edition print releases by artists including Akse P19, Ian Rayer Smith, Liam Spencer, Stan Chow and Simon Buckley, performance art and installations, talks from top collectors and art experts such as Ryan Gander, Maria Balshaw & Frank Cohen.

Manchester Art Fair 2024
The Manchester Contemporary 2024

The Manchester Contemporary

The Manchester Contemporary takes a uniquely artist-focused approach, inviting the most exciting young galleries to participate. It has been supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England between 2009- 2024.

TMC Art Fund

In 2017, Thom Hetherington launched The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund with a group of local businesspeople and since then it has gifted work, acquired from galleries exhibiting at The Manchester Contemporary art fair, worth a combined £86,000 to Manchester Art Gallery's collection. 

Collector Lunch 2024

Collector Programme

The Manchester Contemporary Collector Programme exists to develop a new generation of private collectors as well as welcoming existing collectors. The programme includes unique social events, guided tours of the fair with gallerist introductions and the chance to meet other like minded collectors. 

The Organisers

The team behind Manchester Art Fair have over 20 years' experience in the exhibitions industry organising events in both arts and culture and food & drink. 

Managing Director Sophie Helm has curated Manchester Art Fair for over 13 years and also advised commercial clients on their art collections and judged several leading art prizes. 

Executive Chairman and founder, Thom Hetherington,  is a leading cultural figure in the region. Named ‘Cultural Icon’ by the Manchester Evening News City Life awards in  2016, he is a trustee of Manchester Art Gallery and Factory International. Thom consults for arts organisations such as Manchester International Festival, comments on arts and hospitality in regional and national media and has acted as a judge for awards such as the New Light Art Prize. 

Manchester Art Fair 2024

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