Parks, leisure and the arts Manchester Cultural Consortium

The Manchester Cultural Consortium is a group that represents Manchester’s cultural sector. It’s independent and led by its members.

The group brings together organisations, individuals, and freelancers, both big and small, to:

  • Work together
  • Build skills and resources
  • Share knowledge and make connections

The Cultural Consortium's membership should reflect Manchester's Cultural scene.

The group’s goal is to help shape Manchester as a leading cultural city, especially after Covid. This includes reaching more people and creating new cultural experiences. The group is also helping to guide the city’s 10-year Cultural Ambition

The Cultural Consortium meets four times a year. New members can join twice a year.

To find out more, contact ellie.page@outsidein.org.uk

Here is a list of the current members:

  • Samina Ali - BBC Radio Presenter, freelance Producer and Engagement & Audience Development Consultant.
  • Mollie Balshaw - Visual artist and the Founder and Director of Short Supply, an artist-led organisation.
  • Magdalen Bartlett - Founder and CEO of Afrocats.
  • afshan d’souza-lodhi - Writer and board member of Manchester Literature Festival, Pie Radio and Royal Exchange Theatre. 
  • Tracy Gentles - Artistic Director and CEO at SICK! Festival, artist fellow at Queen Mary University of London and Chair of the Board at Heart of Glass and HighRise Entertainment. 
  • Phil Jones - Founded the Manchester Food and Drink Festival and the radio stations Kiss 102 and 105.
  • Lena Munday - Artist, arts organiser, fundraising consultant and Development Officer for Manchester Craft & Design Centre.
  • Samuel Oddie - Documentary film-maker. 
  • Ellie Page - North West Hub Manager for Outside In, as well as an accessibility consultant, visual arts producer, disabled artist and writer.
  • Michael Schmidt - Founder and Editorial Director of Carcanet Press and General Editor of the magazine PN Review.
  • Mariia Honiukova