These are impossibly difficult times for artists and creative practitioners across the arts – and we’re here to help you get through it.

We’ve launched three regular online drop-ins where you can come together with your peers to share your thoughts and ideas. The drop-ins are warm, welcoming and open to all artists and creatives from Greater Manchester – and beyond. You don’t need to book for any of these sessions, which take place on Zoom and are completely free. We’d love to see you there.

Lockdown Inspirations 

Join a host from MIF to share your lockdown experiences, inspirations and ideas with your fellow artists and creatives. Lockdown Inspirations is a welcoming, informal, supportive and open discussion forum, held frequently on Zoom – and it’s open to all artists and creative practitioners, whatever your discipline or speciality. Stop by and say hi!

Upcoming sessions:
Tuesday 18 May, 2-3pm with John McGrath

Further artist support events 

Artist Drop-in

Every month on Zoom, we’ll be exploring a particular aspect of creative practice or artistic production in the company of some special guests: we’ve previously been joined by the likes of theatre-maker Lola Arias, photographer Hélène Binet, Adam Szabo of Manchester Collective, artist Ibrahim Mahama and poet Louise Wallwein, among many others.

Matchmakers

Do you need help with a particular practice? Are you longing to connect with someone who shares your specialism? Or maybe you’re just up for taking a chance on a new way of working? Theatre-maker Simone French and drag legend Cheddar Gorgeous want to connect artists who are open to starting new creative collaborations. If that’s you, get in touch via this online form, then join us to talk it through on Zoom. And even if it’s not, please drop by: it’s always a fun session, there’s no pressure to take part and you might even be inspired by what you see…

Useful Links

MIF Facebook group for Artists and Freelance Creatives – A place to share information, useful links and discussion.

Resources For Artists and Freelancers – An evolving open document of resources for the freelance creative community who are looking for support and guidance.