The game-changing, free-to-use space for artists and creatives opens

HOME Arches, a free-to-use, world-class artist development hub and public realm gallery, has officially opened its doors on Whitworth Street West.

Spread across three repurposed railway arches, this 258 sqm creative space is a transformative addition to the city’s artistic ecosystem, offering unparalleled opportunities for artists to perfect their craft, experiment, and flourish.

Manchester is world-renowned for its amazing cultural scene, and this space will go a long way to keep the playing field level and the city’s artistic output flowing.

HOME Arches

The HOME Arches hub is a key initiative within HOME, Manchester’s leading arts centre and registered charity, representing a bold advancement in artist development. This space offers over 5,000 hours of free studio, workshop, and development space every year, supporting artists and creative freelancers. It provides opportunities for residencies, co-working, and networking, alongside access to top-tier technical equipment and expertise, empowering artists to innovate and flourish.

Karen O’Neill, CEO of HOME, shared her enthusiasm: “HOME Arches will offer artists a high-quality, free space to create, develop work, and exchange ideas. It will also remain a vital part of HOME’s Artist Development programmes. This new space is a testament to Manchester’s ongoing dedication to culture and creativity, reinforcing the city’s position as an inclusive cultural capital.”

Gary Bridges, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, echoed these sentiments at the launch, saying: “Manchester is incredibly proud of its cultural heritage and the essential role it plays in the city’s success. Over the last 10 to 15 years, our cultural scene has been central to the city’s growth. The HOME Arches project will be a key part of our vision for Manchester—a city where artists can create in the place they call home.”

Spaces for underrepresented groups

50% of the space is reserved for artists from underrepresented groups, including members of the Global Majority, d/Deaf and disabled artists, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. By addressing barriers to entry, HOME Arches aims to democratise access to the arts and foster a vibrant and diverse creative ecology within the North West.

Gary Bridges highlighted the importance of inclusivity in Manchester’s cultural landscape: “Last year, we launched our new culture strategy, which marked a key step in how we think about culture—not just as something for audiences to enjoy, but also as a platform for artists and creatives to thrive. We’re focused on ensuring that culture in Manchester is accessible to everyone, especially to those who live and grow up here. This kind of inclusivity doesn’t happen by accident or overnight. It requires deliberate effort, which is why our collaboration with HOME is so important.”

The launch of HOME Arches features works from its first cohort of artists. Socially engaged artist and producer Sophie Mahon and Iranian-born visual artist

are presenting the inaugural exhibitions in the Arches Windows—a custom-built, street-facing public gallery space visible to over 750,000 pedestrians weekly.

Asad’s stained-glass-inspired installation infuses the space with colour and light, celebrating the building’s form and structure.

In addition, Afreena Islam-Wright delivered a one-off performance of her acclaimed show LUCKY TONIGHT!, which was part of this year’s PUSH Festival at HOME.

Flexible, artist-focused spaces

HOME Arches has been designed in collaboration with HOME’s Artist Panel and the wider artistic community. Its three main spaces include:

• Arch 1: A fully equipped studio space with a sprung dance floor, black-out capability, and soundproofing, accommodating up to 60 people. Ideal for rehearsals, workshops, and experimental projects.
• Sir Bob Scott Arch (Arch 2): Named in honour of one of HOME’s greatest supporters, this central arch houses co-working areas, meeting rooms, IT facilities, lockers, and a kitchen.

The naming was announced during the event by Gary Bridges and Dr. Virginia Tandy, Chair of the Granada Foundation, who shared heartfelt reflections on Bob Scott’s legacy. Dr. Tandy said: “Unfortunately, Bob can’t be with us today. He was really, really hoping to attend, but sadly, he couldn’t make it. I know personally how thrilled he is to have his name associated with this significant development, and he is especially excited that these spaces—these arches—will focus on artist development.

“From the 1970s through to the 2000s, Bob played an essential role in shaping the cultural life of this city. He was instrumental in establishing the Royal Exchange Theatre, reopening the Palace Theatre and reviving the Opera House, as well as leading the creation of Cornerhouse, one of HOME’s predecessor organisations. Even back in the 1980s, when we were busy launching Cornerhouse, he was already challenging us to think bigger—asking for ideas on how Manchester could pitch for the Olympics. That was Bob’s level of ambition.”

Dr. Tandy added: “Having worked with Bob in various capacities over the years, I’m delighted that his tremendous contributions to the cultural life of the city are being recognized through the naming of this arch in this new development at HOME. The Sir Bob Scott Arch will stand alongside Tony Wilson Place, Annie Horniman Street, and Jack Rosenthal Street—a fitting tribute to a remarkable individual.”

• Arch 3: A creative making facility designed for interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting up to 30 artists working across various mediums.

HOME Arches will now serve as the ‘Engine Room’ for HOME’s renowned Artist Development programme, which already supports over 1,000 artists annually. The space will also play a key role in flagship projects such as the PUSH Festival, HOME’s biennial celebration of North West creative talent, providing essential spaces for making, testing, and sharing work.

Community and collaboration

The Artist Panel—a diverse group of creatives including theatre makers, visual artists, and filmmakers—played a pivotal role in shaping the design and function of HOME Arches. Members such as Venessa Scott, Afreena Islam-Wright, and Loran Dunn acted as advocates for the project, ensuring it meets the needs of Manchester’s artistic community.

Film producer and panel member Loran Dunn remarked:
“HOME Arches will provide artists with ownership over professional, high-quality space to create and exhibit their work. It’s a unique opportunity to develop groundbreaking ideas right here in Manchester.”

Gary Bridges also celebrated the transformation of the area around Whitworth Street, crediting HOME’s influence:
“When I first arrived in Manchester and heard about plans to build an arts centre here, people said it was too far out—on the edge of town, in the middle of nowhere. But look at it now. This area is truly the heart of the city centre, and HOME has been a driving force behind that transformation. The additional impact of HOME Arches will only strengthen this momentum and reinforce the wider redevelopment of Whitworth Street.”

The creation of HOME Arches was made possible through the support of key funders, including the UK Government, Manchester City Council, The Wolfson Foundation, and The Foyle Foundation, alongside individual donors and supporters. Jon Matthews Architects led the design, blending the character of the original railway arches with functional, inspiring spaces that foster creativity and collaboration.

“By investing in spaces like HOME Arches,” Bridges said, “we’re ensuring that our creative community continues to thrive and that artists have the resources they need to grow and innovate.”

Get Involved with HOME Arches

HOME Arches is now open, offering a space where theatre makers, visual artists, filmmakers, and creatives of all kinds can come together to explore, experiment, and push boundaries. For more information or to contact HOME’s Artist Development team, visit HOME’s website or email [email protected].

Supporters can also donate to ensure the ongoing success of HOME Arches and its mission to make Manchester a global beacon for creativity.