Z-arts is part of quite a few partnerships, initiatives and networks, from local Manchester based ones to larger scale national networks and partnerships.
We recognise that working in partnership with other venues and organisations (bigger or smaller than ourselves) is key to ensuring we’re able to make the most out of our collective resources, that we continue to have the high impact on audiences and artists that we’ve always achieved and that we’re always re-evaluating and working to address any barriers or issues within the industry that audiences and/or artists are facing.
Below is some information about some of the partnerships Z-arts is proud to be part of.
Creative Producer Training Course
A collaboration between Lowry, HOME and Z-arts to plan, curate and deliver a producer training course between September 2024 and January 2025, to help train-up a cohort of producers from Greater Manchester to address the lack of producers (and diverse producers at that) that are present in the industry and to plug a gap in the industry of little to no producer training opportunities.
Applications for the next round of Creative Producer Development course (running between March and September 2026) are now OPEN!
Apply Now
Deadline: Monday 12 January 2025, 10:00am
Find Out More: Online Q&A Webinar
Wednesday 10 December 2025, 1:00pm–2:00pm (online)
Join Antonia Beck (Lowry), Davinia Jokhi (HOME) and Isah-Levi Roach (Z-arts) for an overview of the course, who it’s for, and how to apply.
Venues North
Venues North is a network of venues from across the North of England who are committed to supporting artists to create new work. Our aim is to work together as venues to support new and emerging artists from the North to get their work more widely seen regionally, nationally and internationally.
Venues North is not a closed network or an exclusive group of venues. It is a paid membership organisation open to any venue in the North that shares our commitment to supporting artists making new work.
Venues North members have all collectively worked together to create a document that we’ve called a ‘Routes In’. ‘Routes In’ is a guide to getting new work programmed and accessing the artist development offers of venues in the North of England. You can download a copy of the ‘Routes In’ guide here.
Routes In
Greater Manchester Artist Development (formerly GM Artist Hub)
Made up of several Greater Manchester arts organisations(of which Z-arts is one), Greater Manchester Artist Hub (GMAH) was formed in April 2020 as a response to the pandemic to support the development of independent artists and creatives. As f 2023 GMA exists under the name Greater Manchester Artist Development. And has changed from a public facing organisation to a forum for any of the arts organisations in Greater Manchester who have an artist development offer to come together, learn from each other and understand how we can better support artists and remove barriers facing artists.
Triple C Collective
In the past, Triple C and Z-arts have partnered to deliver a series of training session for Z-arts staff, freelancers and our yearly cohort of Creative Facilitator trainees. We also continue to work with Triple C on the planning, organisations and delivery of the incredible successful and inclusive Z-access days. Z-access is semi-regular event held at Z-arts designed to cater especially to families where a member may have an autistic spectrum condition, sensory or communication challenges, or identifies with a disability. Z-access Day promises joy and inclusion for all.
Venture Arts
Based just 0.2 miles away from Z-arts, Venture Arts are a super local and super supportive partner of Z-arts. We work closely with Ventures Arts, especially around the planning, programming and delivery of the well known and well loved ‘Hulme is Where the Heart is’ festival, which is hosted yearly in Hulme Park.
MADE (Manchester LCEP)
MADE is Manchesters Local Culture Education Partnership (LCEP). Formed in 2021 MADE has worked tirelessly to establish new, and strengthen existing, connections between educational institutes and cultural organisations in the city of Manchester. Their office space is based in Z-arts, and we are a regular collaborator with them on the delivery of loads of creative projects, aimed at supporting cultural and artistic provision for young people in education in Manchester.
National Story Venues Cohort
National Story Venues Cohort is a national partnership designed to increase profile and open creative collaboration opportunities with 6 storytelling venues across England.
PYA England (Performance for Young Audiences)
PYA England is a network to support the sub-sector, enabling Greater Manchester organisations to access knowledge, productions and opportunities via a national connection.
Council:
Being based within Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) means we’re able to connect with several partners from across Greater Manchester. Some of these include, but is not limited to:
⋅ Manchester City Council Culture Team – Z-arts is strategically funded to be lead organisation for children and families cultural activities.
⋅ MCC Neighbourhoods – A partner for local community initiatives, such as ‘Hulme Is Where The Art Is’, ‘National Play Day’ & ‘Winter Festival’.
⋅ MCC Central Library – A partner supporting of our children’s library; part of Manchester Library network and Reading Challenge.
⋅ Manchester, Oldham, Bolton and Tameside Libraries all supporting library and community theatre programming in Greater Manchester Boroughs through big Imaginations.
⋅ MCC Youth & Play fund and Holiday Activity Fund programmes support our free children’s participation offer in and out of term time.
There are so many other partners Z-arts works with on a week-to-week basis, encouraging the collaborative working nature that makes Z-arts and our partners really thrive and maximise their output and impact.
