Arts centre Factory International searching for Manchester musicians to benefit from financial support scheme

Factory International, Manchester’s multi-million-pound new arts hub, says it wants to support the city’s music scene.
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Factory International, Manchester’s multi-million-pound arts hub which is set to open later this year, has announced it is offering £10,000 worth of financial support for local creatives involved in the city’s thriving music scene.

The culture hub will select 10 creatives from Manchester who will each receive £1,000 to go towards the development of their music careers.

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The programme, called Factory Sounds, aims to highlight the local musicians in Manchester’s flourishing music scene, which a report published in March 2022 said generated £51m for the city’s economy in 2019.

Here’s how young and up-and-coming musical talent in the city can apply for the opportunity.

What is Factory Sounds and how do Manchester musical creatives apply for it?

Factory Sounds was initially created to support artists during the Covid-19 pandemic and can help music producers, artists, collectives, labels, bands and DJs.

The 10 successful applicants will be offered £1,000 towards the creation of a new project and also benefit from peer-to-peer support, access to Factory International’s talent development programmes and networking opportunities.

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With no restrictions on what the project can be, previous Factory Sounds alumni have created music management companies, financed the release of singles, EPs and albums, fitted out recording studios, run production workshops, and supported artists to tour.

Factory Sounds offers support to Manchester musicians and those involved in the music scene in the cityFactory Sounds offers support to Manchester musicians and those involved in the music scene in the city
Factory Sounds offers support to Manchester musicians and those involved in the music scene in the city

Applications for the Factory Sounds programme close at noon on 14 March and anyone interested in being considered can apply or find out more at the Factory International website here.

Jane Beese, Factory International director of music, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer these opportunities for those in our city’s fantastic music scene.

Our year-round programme at Factory International will give audiences the chance to enjoy the broadest range of art forms, and music will be a massive part of that. But beyond the shows and events that we put on in the venue, it’s also a space for the creators and artists of the future.”

What else is Factory International doing for Manchester talent?

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Factory Sounds is not the only way the venue is supporting the city-region’s creative scene. Factory International is also offering paid opportunities for local musicians to showcase their talent at this year’s Manchester International Festival (MIF), which runs from 29 June to 16 July. Local musicians will have the opportunity to participate in the city-wide festival and perform on the live stage at Festival Square.

Applications for the festival showcase close on 19 March and applications can be submitted on the Factory International website here.

In addition the Factory International Fellowship will provide six artists from the north with the opportunity to shadow the professional artists at the arts centre, as well as providing bursaries and other dedicated artistic support.

The arts centre says it is setting out to be the ‘training ground for the next generation of young professionals” involved in the arts and culture, with a special focus on bringing opportunities for the underrepresented artists in the North of England.

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Located next to the River Irwell, the building will be used for various art exhibitions and live concerts. The 13,350 square metre building will be able to hold up to 5,000 people standing.

The team behind the venue has set ambitious targets for the venue, hoping to create or support up to 1,500 jobs either directly or indirectly and add an impressive £1.1 billion to the city’s coffers over a decade.