This November, Manchester Art Fair 2023 will celebrate its 15th anniversary with its biggest edition to date. Scheduled for 17th-19th November at Manchester Central, this year’s fair has expanded by 35%, the most significant increase since the event’s inception in 2008.
Over the years, Manchester Art Fair has become one of the UK’s largest art fairs, its steady growth underscored by the core aim of making art accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience. Last year’s fair saw impressive figures, with over 13,309 visitors and art sales totalling £798,405. This success has necessitated an expansion in 2023, with a larger floor space facilitating more exhibitors and a more comfortable viewing experience for attendees.
This year’s fair will host over 170 UK and international individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces, a selection that includes new entrants such as Demif Gallery, British Art Portfolio, Art Court, and First Contemporary. These newcomers will exhibit alongside returning participants, including Saul Hay Gallery, Hidden Gallery, and Carnes Fine Art.
Sophie Helm, the director of Manchester Art Fair, expressed excitement over the upcoming event, highlighting its role in fostering Manchester’s vibrant arts community. She also revealed an increased commitment to the Manchester Contemporary Art Fund, a significant local art fund which will be tripled this year to augment Manchester Art Gallery’s public collection.
The 2023 edition of Manchester Art Fair will include an extended range of activities, featuring exclusive limited-edition print releases, adult and children’s workshops, a sculpture pavilion, and a more expansive schedule of talks and Q&As with high-profile artists. It will also provide valuable advice for those looking to start or enhance their art collections.
Running parallel to the Manchester Art Fair, The Manchester Contemporary will also return this year. It serves as a platform for young galleries, artist-led spaces, charitable organisations, and partner institutions, further enriching the fair’s offerings.
Details of the full lineup of galleries, artists, and previews of artwork available for purchase can be found on the Manchester Art Fair website. Tickets for the fair are now on sale (Weekend Tickets: £10 / Preview Night Tickets: £25), and we’ve been given 500 free weekend tickets for our readers (discount should be automatically applied with promo code FINEST).
