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Edition 15 : 15-17 November 2024

The Manchester Contemporary takes a uniquely artist-focused approach, inviting the most exciting international and UK galleries to participate.

With careful selection and bold curatorial vision, The Manchester Contemporary showcases the strength of the UK’s regional artists and galleries alongside key international presentations that can only be seen in Manchester.

We aim to create a more inclusive and supportive event for our exhibitors and to develop a sense of community for the art collectors of the North.

How To Apply

"The Fair continues to be a genuine counterweight to London – and a real part of the art world ecology outside the capital"
i newspaper 4* review

“I am really impressed with how Manchester’s art scene has developed in recent years. There is no shortage of potential art buyers in the region, and the fair is vital to inspire and develop a significant audience of collectors.”
Frank Cohen  Art Collector

The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund

Founded by Executive Chairman of Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary, Thom Hetherington, in 2017, The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund is the largest philanthropic art fund in the North.

This year’s Fund, created by a group of businesspeople and individuals passionate about their city, is the largest to date bringing the total value of work acquired for Manchester Art Gallery since the Fund’s inception to £52,000 and the total number of pieces of work to 24, all purchased from galleries exhibiitng at the fair.

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The Manchester Contemporary is a great place to show experimental works. Each year there is a great energy at the fair with lively conversations. TMC deliver a solid collectors programme of events and the patrons fund is an excellent concept for Manchester. 
The Second Act

The relationship that this fair has with museums and arts organisations helps to bridge the gap between the institution sector and the local contemporary art scene.
Arcana

Programme

Collector Programme

Collector Programme

The Manchester Contemporary Collector Programme is the only group of it's kind in the region and is open for anyone to join who has a keen interest in contemporary art and a growing private collection.

Tony Heaton OBE speaks to Paulette Brien of The Grundy

Art Talk

The fair invites leading artists and art experts to share their knowledge and experiences with visitors. 

Listen Again

Sculpture Court

Sculpture Court

“In some ways the fair has always been about ‘keeping it real’.  Perhaps the Manchester or Northern attitude toward culture is about demystifying art through inclusivity and openness. Our sculpture court is one way we express this." Nat Pitt, Fair Curator

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With an international reputation for the visual arts and institutions such as Manchester Art Gallery, The Whitworth, HOME, Manchester International Festival, The Lowry and Aviva Studios, Manchester is the ‘original modern city’.

Manchester has been named as one of 25 global destinations to be included in the Where to Go 2024 list by prestigious US travel publication AFAR, has been named in the New York Times’ 52 Places to Go list for 2024 and is the only UK city in National Geographic's influential ‘Best of the World’ list which annually sets out 25 of the must-see places to visit around the globe.

Image: Simon Buckley, Manchester Central, 6:44pm, released as a limited edition print at Manchester Art Fair 2022.

The Fair’s venue, Manchester Central located at the heart of the city centre is served by its own dedicated tram stop, free city centre shuttle buses and on-site parking for 700 cars.

Combing state-of-the-art exhibition facilities and little extras such as dedicated porters and trolleys we aim to make exhibiting as easy as possible. Once the fair’s doors close at the end of a successful day the city centre’s restaurants, bars and theatres are on your doorstep to enjoy!

Image: Simon Buckley, Manchester Central, 6:44pm, released as a limited edition print at Manchester Art Fair 2022.

Manchester Art Fair & The Manchester Contemporary 2023

168    

Gallery and artist stands

12830

Visitors to the fair

£816k

Spent on art

66%

spent 1-2 hours exploring the fair.

78%

visit The Manchester Contemporary

97%

of visitors come the North of England

37%

own more than 10 pieces of art.

91%

spend up to £5,000 a year on art.

98%

of visitors are aged 25 and above

The Manchester Contemporary provides an invaluable platform to connect, artists, curators, galleries and collectors.
Convenience Gallery

The Manchester Contemporary was gorgeous this year- a true contemporary art experience, quality of work on show is fantastic and diverse, great for networking, bringing people together and making new friends. 
Venture Arts

Marketing in partnership with Manchester Art Fair

Posters    

Posters    

Digital and traditional poster advertising sites are located across the city centre region.
Leaflets

Leaflets

292,000 Leaflets are distributed to cultural partners, city centre apartments and homes across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

TMC Instagram

Social Media

Our social media reach was 40,000+ followers and 581K impressions across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Emails

Emails

Email campaigns featuring exhibiting artists and galleries are sent to our exclusive MAF database of 40,000+ subscribers.

2024 Prices

Large

5m x 3m - £1950 + VAT

8m x 2m - £2080+VAT

6m x 3m - £2340 +VAT

Medium

5m x 2m - £1300 +VAT

4m x 3m - £1560 +VAT

6m x 2m - £1560 +VAT   

Corner Stand (15m) - £1950 +VAT

Project Spaces

3m x 2m - £780 +VAT

4m x 2m - £1040 +VAT

* All prices include the discount supported through funding.

Criteria

  • There are no geographical restrictions for exhibitors
  • All exhibitors must show original work and all work must be for sale
  • Original prints and prints made with the hand of the artist are acceptable with a maximum edition size of 100
  • Limited edition fine art photography is accepted when signed and numbered with a maximum edition size of 100
  • The decision of the organiser and curator is final and based upon the basic selection criteria and fair objectives.

Package

  • Standard traditional white wooden walls (3m high) and lighting package
  • Booth Signage
  • Electrics (for artwork only)
  • Secure artwork storage
  • Profile on website including art preview and news
  • Inclusion in complimentary catalogue provided to visitors 
  • Free art wrap service
  • Limited Complimentary tickets
  • Free WiFi
  • Porters to help with loading and unloading during build-up and breakdown

How To Apply

All applicants are asked to apply online providing exhibitor information along with artist details, images, price range and the size of stand required.

APPLY NOW

Successful applicants will be contacted with a stand allocation within 4 weeks. Regretfully we cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications. 

A deposit of 20% of the total invoice is payable on booking. Followed by 2 instalments of 40%. (Please note any bookings less than 6 months from the event will have stand invoices rolled together accordingly).