Artists From Over 20 Countries Present UK and World Premieres in Manchester from 4-21 July

Artists From Over 20 Countries Present UK and World Premieres in Manchester from 4-21 July 100+ Sponsors and Supporters on the Journey to MIF19 and Beyond.

As the full programme for Manchester International Festival 2019 (MIF19) is revealed, the biennial event has confirmed the one hundred and counting supporters that make the festival possible. Supporters include national and international companies, local businesses, and individual donors, trusts and foundations, all inspired by the vision of the Festival and committed to supporting cultural vibrancy and opportunities in Manchester.

Manchester International Festival takes place across 18 extraordinary days (4-21 July 2019). Internationally-acclaimed artists from over 20 countries – many working in one-off creative collaborations – will present 20 UK and world premieres at the cross-art form biennial festival, the second with John McGrath as Artistic Director. The full programme includes work from David Lynch, Yoko Ono, Skepta, Maxine Peake, Idris Elba and Kwame Kwei-Armah.

In 2017, MIF attracted over 300,000 attendees, led nearly 28,000 hours of engagement in creative learning projects and generated an estimated economic impact of £40.2 million. MIF has forged a global reputation and many commissions go on to tour globally – more than 1.25m people have seen MIF commissions overseas, from Argentina to New Zealand and Abu Dhabi to the USA.

The festival also has a significant track record in ambitious fundraising, collecting 10% of all the annual corporate giving outside London. This success is built on the committed support of the Festival’s principal public funders, Manchester City Council and Arts Council England.

John McGrath, MIF Artistic Director and Chief Executive said: “We are hugely grateful for the support of our funders, supporters and partners. Their commitment to MIF enables us to work with the most exciting international and local artists. It offers them a unique platform to develop new ambitious work here in Manchester, before it travels internationally taking Manchester and the MIF brand to a global audience. As we move toward the opening of The Factory, there are an increasing number of opportunities for partnership working as we continue to collaborate with businesses and philanthropists who are inspired by the vision to make the art of the future right here in Manchester. We look forward to welcoming more partners on board for this exciting journey.”

Kate Vokes, Director of Culture for Bruntwood, MIF Official Partner said: “We believe that by supporting MIF, who help to shape the city’s vibrant cultural offering, together we contribute towards a thriving city. We’re proud to partner with such an ambitious cultural organisation who are looking to make a demonstrable impact and to shift the cultural landscape in which regional cities, not just capital cities, are recognised globally for their energetic and inventive art’s scene. A thriving city is a place where its people blossom as much as its economy.”

Peter Emery, CEO for Electricity North West, MIF Official Provider said: “Our role goes beyond keeping the power flowing across the North West, we are committed to playing our part in securing a zero-carbon future for Greater Manchester and beyond through world-leading innovation. We’re proud that it’s our network that connects communities and powers the success of the Manchester International Festival.”

William Lees-Jones, Managing Director for JW Lees, MIF Gold Supporter said: “JW Lees is a 190-year-old Manchester family business with our brewery at the heart of everything we do. So, to bring the brewery and our beers to the heart of the festival in Festival Square and to get the phenomenal response that we received at MIF17 was incredible. In 2019 we will work with MIF and Heathcote & Co to make sure the last MIF in Festival Square is the best. Festival Square is special place for people to come together and to live and breathe their experiences at MIF and we are proud to be there with a range of our beers.”

The MIF team collaborate with their festival sponsors to create meaningful partnerships, activated to amplify the creativity that is at the core of the festival. Working with The Mayfield Partnership, MIF returns to the iconic Mayfield, BDP provided consultative support in the extraordinary custom-built Atmospheric Memory structure, Regatta will once again dress 400+ MIF Volunteers as they welcome audiences around the city, students from Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University are engaging in a project to design furniture and interiors for Festival Square, and many more exciting collaborations.

For more information about MIF’s partnerships and opportunities to support the festival, contact Jenny Mungall, Development Director: jenny.mungall@mif.co.uk

About Manchester International Festival

Manchester International Festival (MIF) is the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events, staged every two years in Manchester, UK. MIF launched in 2007 as an artist-led festival presenting new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture. The next Festival takes place from 4 – 21 July 2019.

MIF has commissioned, produced and presented world premieres by artists including Marina Abramović, Damon Albarn, Björk, Boris Charmatz, Jeremy Deller, Elbow, Wayne McGregor, Steve McQueen, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Thomas Ostermeier, Maxine Peake, Punchdrunk, The xx, Robert Wilson and Zaha Hadid Architects.

These and other world-renowned artists from different art forms and backgrounds create dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking new work, staged in venues across Greater Manchester – from theatres, galleries and concert halls to railway depots, churches and car parks. MIF works closely with venues, festivals and other cultural organisations globally, whose financial and creative input helps to make many of these projects possible and ensures that work made at MIF goes on to be seen around the world.

MIF supports a year-round Creative Engagement programme, bringing opportunities for people from all backgrounds, ages and from all corners of the city to get involved during the Festival and year-round, as volunteers, as participants in shows, through skills development workshops and a host of creative activities, such as Festival in My House.

MIF will also be the operator for The Factory, the new world-class cultural space being developed in the heart of Manchester, designed by internationally-renowned architects Rem Koolhaas’ OMA. Due to open in 2021, The Factory will commission, present and produce a year-round programme, featuring new work from the world’s greatest artists and offering a space to make, explore and experiment. Attracting up to 850,000 visitors, The Factory will add £1.1 billion to the economy and create 1,500 jobs. Its pioneering programme of skills, training and engagement will benefit local people and the next generation of creative talent from across the city, whilst apprenticeships and trainee schemes are already underway during the construction phase.

MIF’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive is John McGrath.

MIF is a registered charity