Global art producer Wild in Art is launching the brand-new Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund (managed by Forever Manchester) with a stripped-back lunchtime gig in the heart of town, as part of its summer-long city-wide art trail, Music for the Senses, created to support the future headliners of a city that lives and breathes music.
The Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund will give grassroots artists from the region the opportunity to apply for much-needed financial support with ever-rising touring costs, from transport to promotion, and paying their fellow musicians.
The fund itself will be created by music fans and supporters, by bidding on 55 iconic guitars, which are either donated by music legends like Oasis, New Order, Elbow, Peter Hook, Busted, Doves, Pixies, PINS, and Mani, or original music inspired artworks painted onto guitars that have been admired as part of the city-wide Music for the Senses art trail throughout the summer.
The fund is launching as part of the final celebrations for Music for the Senses, the city-wide art trail that’s been turning heads all summer, with over 80 artworks, murals, mosaics, and installations inspired by Manchester’s music culture popping up across the city. The online auction is live, building towards the grand auction at Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats on Friday 12 September, with all proceeds going straight into the new grassroots music fund.
Ben Reed, Head of Creative Development at Wild in Art, said: “Whilst demand for live music events remains high, many grassroots artists simply cannot afford to tour. It’s a global, industry-wide problem, and our creative solution has been to harness the excitement and global interest in our city, to create a fund that delivers for the grassroots, whilst also creating a free interactive event for people in the city.
“How much we can fund depends on what people bid, and so to launch the fund, we’re putting on a pop-up, stripped-back show at the Cathedral of Sound installation in Mayfield Park, to showcase some of the brilliant grassroots talent that could benefit from it.
“Every guitar in the trail is either a work of art, or has been owned by a musician that is part of our rich musical heritage, so bidders have the opportunity to own a piece of Manchester music history, whilst also supporting its future.”
This new fund follows hot on the heels of Manchester City Council’s £250k commitment to supporting the city’s grassroots venues. While that secures the stages, the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund helps make sure our local artists can actually get out there and use them.
The Forever Manchester Grassroots Music Fund has been designed by Manchester Music City in collaboration with Wild in Art and will be delivered by Forever Manchester.
Applications for the fund open in November 2025, with full criteria and details released after the Music for the Senses grand auction.
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