Factory International (Aviva Studios)

Rising proudly beside the River Irwell, Factory International, also known as Aviva Studios, is Manchester’s newest and most ambitious arts space. Operated by the team behind the Manchester International Festival, it’s a sprawling, adaptable venue that has already become a playground for creativity, from immersive theatre and boundary pushing dance to queer cabaret and digital art.

Since opening, Factory International has hosted global acts alongside homegrown talent, with a sharp focus on inclusivity and representation. Its Festival Square events bring together musicians, drag artists and spoken word performers, while its programmes have featured queer icons and collaborations with Contact, HOME and Manchester Pride to amplify LGBTQ+ voices on an international stage.

The building itself is breathtaking, vast yet human, industrial yet welcoming. There’s a riverside bar and cafe serving seasonal dishes, local beer and coffee, and open spaces where people can work, meet and collaborate. Accessibility has been woven into every detail, from step free entry to gender neutral toilets and relaxed performances.

Factory International isn’t just Manchester’s next cultural chapter, it’s a statement of intent, a promise that art, in this city, will always belong to everyone. Bold, inclusive and endlessly inventive, it captures everything Manchester stands for, creativity, courage and community.