On 8th July, Factory International’s partner schools are taking over Festival Square at Aviva Studios for a vibrant end-of-year celebration, filled with free exhibitions, hands-on workshops, and live music —curated by 160 imaginative and inspiring young people.

Takeover is the grand finale of their year-round schools partnership programme, Factory International Schools, showcasing a series of free public events and exhibitions exploring the theme of identity.

Throughout the 24/25 academic year, 160 students from five partner schools have developed original artwork, performances, and creative outputs. These will be shared alongside a curated collection of collaborative works, produced in partnership with a leadership collective of 20 young people.

Factory International Schools unlocks the artistic commissions happening at Aviva Studios with trips, artist workshops, performance opportunities and a young people’s festival. Experienced, practicing artists deliver weekly interdisciplinary workshops in Greater Manchester schools, which are designed to improve young people’s wellbeing and social and emotional learning.

This year, five partner schools have watched BBC Philharmonic’s Ten Pieces, been immersed in David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) and have seen Hamlet Hail to the Thief co-created by Thom Yorke, Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones. This year’s programme has included a sustainable fashion project lead by Kemi Gbadebo, a documentary film project designed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Matt Kay, and a visual art project designed and delivered by puppet artist Caroline Daly.

Want to get involved for the next academic year? Factory International Schools 25/26 programme is now accepting expressions of interest! Please contact amber.calland@factoryinternational.org to book an initial meeting.