The Manchester Contemporary returns this November with its strongest programme to date, bringing together leading independent galleries, artists and curators from across the UK and beyond.
The 2025 edition, which as always runs in tandem with the annual Manchester Art Fair, also marks a record year for its art fund, which has raised £40,000 to help acquire new works for Manchester Art Gallery’s public collection.
“The way we platform new work by emerging artists, create opportunities for artists from under-represented backgrounds and provide an opening for artist-led spaces outside London is integral to the fair,” said curator Nat Pitt.
“Each year, we welcome a growing number of international collectors, as well as over 11,000 art-buying members of the public from across the North and beyond.”
This year’s exhibitor list highlights the debut of leading London galleries including Brooke Benington, Kate MacGarry and William Hine, all of which will be making their first appearance in the North.
The roster also integrates cultural partners and artist-led initiatives such as Liverpool Biennial, Castlefield Gallery, Turntable Gallery, Red Dog, Paradise Works, Venture Arts and Abingdon Studios Project Space, underscoring the fair’s mission to support experimentation and diversity across the UK art ecosystem.
Among the highlights is Retrospection, a special section of the fair dedicated to galleries whose journey began here and who have since achieved international success, offering a chance to reflect on how platforms such as the Manchester Contemporary foster long-term careers.
The Art Talks programme for 2025 features a varied set of discussions: art and IP lawyer Jon Sharples joins critic Eddy Frankel to explore the future of art criticism; former curator Paulette Brien speaks with artists Rachel Goodyear and Leo Fitzmaurice about the opportunities and pressures of art-fairs; and critic Louise Buck chairs a panel of leading collectors – including Frank Cohen, Roland Cowan, Hannah Barton, Sigrún Davídsdóttir and Eliza Gluckman – to talk about motivations, challenges and responsibilities in building contemporary collections.
Since its launch in 2017, the Manchester Contemporary Art Fund has enabled the acquisition of 38 works for Manchester Art Gallery’s permanent collection and is now described as one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing philanthropic art acquisition funds. Through this year’s record donation total, the fair and fund continue to strengthen the city’s artistic legacy and help ensure that contemporary art remains publicly accessible.
Tickets for Manchester Contemporary 2025 are available now, with day tickets at £12, two-day tickets at £15 and a preview night ticket at £25 (booking fee applies).
The event opens on 21 November with a preview evening, followed by public access throughout the weekend.
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