Z-arts was formed in 2000 as a ‘creative space for young people’ with a priority on providing participatory activity.
Our mission is to inspire and enable generations of young people from Manchester and beyond to use creativity to maximise their potential. We do this by supporting an individual’s creative journey from their first steps in creative practice to being a practicing artist.
Here’s an example of the journey a person might take with us:
early years arts workshops,
after schools and holiday programmes across various art-forms,
schools engagement work, creative curriculum support and linking days
vocational arts training such as mentoring, work placements, shadowing and observation
artists master classes
adult training and life-long learning
We have strong evidence that shows that taking part in arts activities can have a lasting and transforming effect on the lives of young people. Our activities help people gain confidence and self-esteem, raising aspiration and improving communication skills and life chances. Working specifically with local schools and academies to reintegrate excluded young people, we show that involvement in creative activities can reveal alternative life choices for people from deprived areas. Raising aspiration then leads to a desire to achieve, and this in turn can lead to renewed engagement in education, employment or frequently in the creative industries, towards self-employment.
If you are interested in engaging with our creative opportunities then please email bookings@z-arts.org
Z-arts creates an artistic hub in our large building with twelve public rooms including a 230 seat theatre, gallery, fully equipped dance studio, music studio, café, rehearsal and workshop rooms. If you are interested in using one of the Z-arts spaces then please email bookings@z-arts.org
The building is fully accessible.