UK Museums: Aviva Studios (Factory International), Manchester
Aviva Studios (Factory International)
Aviva Studios is the home of Factory International a new arts and cultural complex in Manchester. Factory International organizes the biannual Manchester International Festival.
Built on the site of the former Granada Studios on the River Irwell, the complex opened in 2023. It comprises the Warehouse, a flexible space with capacity for up to 5,000 people and the Hall which can accommodate 1,600 people seated or 2,000 standing. Factory International opened with an exhibition by the renown Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama - You, Me And The Balloons in the summer of 2023.
History & Design
The venue is the work of Dutch architect Ellen van Loon of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) founded by Rem Koolhaas. It is the first large-scale project by the company in the UK since the Rothschild Bank HQ in London.
Funds for the building project were provided by the government through Arts Council England and by Manchester City Council. The total cost is estimated to be over £200m.
The insurance company Aviva paid £35 million for naming rights.
The building is close to the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), the Castlefield Preservation District and the reconstructed Roman Fort and Roman Gardens (Mamucium).
Events
The multi-use space will stage a variety of events and performances including art exhibitions, theatre shows and concerts.
In addition, Factory International encourages local participation by offering free courses through its Factory Academy and Artist Development programmes.
Upcoming events in 2023 include Free Your Mind - "a journey into The Matrix through dance and immersive design" directed by Danny Boyle in The Hall and A Night With The Johnny Marr Orchestra in The Warehouse.
Access - Getting There
Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Tel: 0333 322 8679 (Ticketing)
www: factoryinternational.org
Hours
Monday: Closed; Tuesday to Sunday the foyer and the Social café bar are open 10 am to 9 pm. The shop is open from 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Sunday, as well as during exhibition hours and late-night openings.
Free admission. For charges for events and shows visit the official website.
Public Transport
The museum is a short walk from Salford Central station, one stop east of Salford Crescent Station.
Manchester Victoria is 1.6 km away while Manchester Piccadilly is about 2 km.
Deansgate Station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop on the Manchester metrolink are both under 1 km away.
St Peter's Square tram stop is also under 1 km distant.
Several buses stop on nearby Bridge Street. These include the 8, 36 and 37 buses from Manchester City Centre to Bolton, the V1 and V2 to Leigh, and the 100 bus to Warrington.
Route 1 of the Metroshuttle Free Bus service passes the northern end of Water Street along Quay Street.
Other excellent museums, art galleries and libraries in Manchester include the Portico Library, the Manchester Museum, People's History Museum, the Greater Manchester Police Museum, the Whitworth Art Gallery and the Transport Museum.
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