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Take Part

Planning for MIF21 is well underway and as always there are plenty of ways that you, your friends, family and communities can be part of exciting new artworks at this year’s Festival (1-18 July 2021).

If you’re interested in participating and getting involved at this year’s festival check out the opportunities listed on this page and keep up-to-date by signing up for our newsletter.  

a Dj's on stage at festival square hold his hand up

Festival Square Open Call

We’re on the lookout for acts to perform at Festival Square, the home of the Festival in the heart of the city. From indie acts to dance troupes, classical choirs to hip hop collectives, there’s no limit on what sort of live act we’re open to presenting

Find out more and Apply
Group photo of young people inside a bedroom with audio equipment and instruments

Volunteer at MIF21

Volunteering is a great way to connect with the Festival and the city. Register your interest on the by Thu 29 April.

Get involved

Take a look at some of the ways people took part in MIF19...

BELLS FOR PEACE, our opening event, included a people’s orchestra of handcrafted ceramic bells which were designed and created by hundreds of Greater Manchester residents at special workshops throughout the city and across the region.

a classroom with desks

Rob Connor

School of Integration artist Tania Bruguera and over 100 people who have made Manchester their home from another country took over Manchester Art Gallery to deliver unique classes, from food, customs, ethics, politics and many other forms of knowledge.

Parliment of Ghosts exhibition at inside The Whitworth

MIchael Pollard

Parliament of Ghosts included a team of 30 ‘Everyday Experts’ working alongside artist Ibrahim Mahama, curators and conservation teams at the Whitworth to encourage visitors of all ages to explore an extraordinary collection of historical documents from Ghana.

Actor dressed as a paramedic

Chris Payne

The Anvil, a day-long series of performances across Manchester inspired by the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre, was created by immersive theatre group ANU with people from across Greater Manchester – from cyclists to gardeners, activists to medical students.

Ariel shot of participants in Manchester Central Library

Lee Baxter

Utopolis Manchester began at a host of venues throughout the city centre – from cafés and shops to hair salons and dance studios. Our 67 hosts created new audio material for the show welcomed audience members during the show’s run.

Actors performing a wedding scene on stage, one actor has his hand raised in the air

Chris Payne

Tuesday starred a 30-strong chorus of Salford residents and amateur singers in this beautiful site-specific theatre for children and adults at the Grade I listed Victorian church of St Augustine’s, Pendlebury.

A dog sits infront of a blackboard which reads 'Back at 3.30pm - Teacher's Stevie the dog'

Chris Payne

Animals of Manchester took place on our closing weekend and featured activities co-hosted by a team of Young Ambassadors from Claremont Primary School in Moss Side, and by classes of children from Holy Trinity C of E Primary School in Moston.