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Tomorrow, MADE IT starts becoming an exhibition.For months, it’s existed in application forms, spreadsheets, emails, art...
05/10/2026

Tomorrow, MADE IT starts becoming an exhibition.

For months, it’s existed in application forms, spreadsheets, emails, artwork images, floor plans, phone calls and an alarming number of tabs open at once.

Tomorrow, the actual work starts arriving at The Whitaker.

Over the next few days, their work will be delivered, unpacked, positioned, hung, tested, labelled, moved three inches to the left, moved back again, and slowly turned into MADE IT 2026.

Artwork delivery: 6–8 October
Install: 9–12 October
Preview: Saturday 17 October, 2–4pm
The Whitaker, Rossendale
Free to attend

We’ll be taking you behind the scenes as it all comes together.

This is the bit where it starts to feel real. 🧡

Been digging back through the MADE IT archive for this one and, honestly, it’s a bit mad seeing where it started.In 2019...
01/10/2026

Been digging back through the MADE IT archive for this one and, honestly, it’s a bit mad seeing where it started.

In 2019 we were two Fine Art students about to graduate, with no jobs lined up, no grand plan to start an arts organisation and not much idea what you were actually supposed to do once the degree show came down.

We just knew there was loads of brilliant work being made by graduates across the North West, and a weird drop-off in support almost immediately afterwards.

So we made something ourselves.

The first MADE IT was pretty scrappy. We were learning how to curate, install, promote, fund and run an exhibition while actually doing it. Over the years it got bigger, survived lockdown, moved into new spaces, brought in more partners and awards, handed real responsibility over to emerging curators and producers, and generally became something we could never have planned at the beginning.

Looking back through all of it, though, the reason for doing it hasn’t changed much.

There are an unbelievable number of talented artists graduating here every year. The difficult bit is what happens next.

Money matters. Geography matters. Knowing people matters. Being trusted with your first proper opportunity matters. And far too many artists seem to disappear somewhere between being called a “promising graduate” and being considered established enough to be given a chance.

We’re really proud that MADE IT is still here, but we’re also slightly pi**ed off that it still needs to be.

Anyway. If you’re new around here, this is where it came from.

And if you’re part of the next MADE IT, welcome to the story. 🧡

30/09/2026

This is your friendly reminder of all the Important Details & Key Dates for The Whitaker Open Submission Deadline this weekend!

Ready to share your work with our panel of judges and gallery visitors? Here is everything you need to know before submitting:

◼️ Key Dates
• Submissions Drop-Off / Digital Deadline: Thursday 1st October – Sunday 4th October (10am – 4pm)
• Exhibition Dates: 17th October – 13th December 2026

◼️ Key Information
• Entry Fee: £5 per artwork (Up to 3 artworks total)
• Who Can Apply: Open to artists across the North West working in 2D, 3D, digital, video, and moving image
• Wall Works: Any wall-based entries must be mirror-plated for hanging
• Artwork Sales: Works can be listed for sale (40% commission applies)

đź”— Full guidelines & submission form: https://www.thewhitaker.org/portfolio/the-whitaker-open/

THE CLASS OF 2026 IS HERE.Meet the 20 artists selected for MADE IT 2026, Short Supply’s North West Graduate Art Prize.Fr...
29/09/2026

THE CLASS OF 2026 IS HERE.

Meet the 20 artists selected for MADE IT 2026, Short Supply’s North West Graduate Art Prize.

From 17 October–13 December, their work will take over The Whitaker in Rossendale.

MADE IT exists for the bit after graduation: when the degree show comes down, but the work is only just getting started. Alongside the exhibition, this year’s artists will connect with public art, collections, commissions and development opportunities across the region.

Swipe through to meet the Class of 2026, then come and see the work in person.

Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery First Street, Manchester Artists Now University of Salford Art Collection Zealous | Creative Community

This year’s cohort includes graduates of:

Manchester Metropolitan University
University of Salford
University of Chester
Liverpool John Moores University
Blackpool & Fylde College
University of Lancashire
Lancaster University
University of Staffordshire

Introducing the MADE IT 2026 Class of 2026.RSVP and find the artists here: https://fb.me/e/dpxVoiOBtWe’re delighted to a...
29/09/2026

Introducing the MADE IT 2026 Class of 2026.

RSVP and find the artists here: https://fb.me/e/dpxVoiOBt

We’re delighted to announce the 20 artists selected for this year’s North West Graduate Art Prize.

From 17 October–13 December, MADE IT 2026 will bring their work together at The Whitaker in Rossendale.

MADE IT is about making sure that graduation is not where support disappears. The exhibition is a chance to encounter brilliant new work, but it also opens up practical next steps for the artists through public art, collections, commissions and professional development.

Meet the selected artists in the images, save the date, and join us at The Whitaker this autumn.

Congratulations, Class of 2026.

This year’s cohort includes graduates of:

Manchester Metropolitan University
University of Salford
University of Chester
Liverpool John Moores University
Blackpool & Fylde College
University of Lancashire
Lancaster University
University of Staffordshire

i hope something you’ve been thinking about trying gets to exist outside your head soon. even if it’s rubbish. especiall...
25/09/2026

i hope something you’ve been thinking about trying gets to exist outside your head soon. even if it’s rubbish. especially if it’s rubbish. x

“My work is strong — so why am I not getting opportunities?”We’ve talked about this before, but it bears repeating: it i...
23/09/2026

“My work is strong — so why am I not getting opportunities?”

We’ve talked about this before, but it bears repeating: it isn’t always a question of talent.

Strong work can still be overlooked when the people choosing artists can’t quickly understand what connects it, where it might sit or why it matters to them. We know this can be frustrating… but here’s how to make it work for you.

This doesn’t mean changing your practice to please gatekeepers, but giving people enough context to recognise, remember and advocate for what you do.

Positioning isn’t permanent, either. It’s simply the clearest and most useful way of explaining where your practice is right now. That can change!

Try the exercise in the carousel, then comment with what you make and who you wish was seeing it. We’ll reply with one thing you could try next 👇

👀 NEXT UP? YOU.We’ve been taking art out of the gallery and onto the streets with our pals at JACKARTS, part of BUILDHOL...
21/09/2026

đź‘€ NEXT UP? YOU.

We’ve been taking art out of the gallery and onto the streets with our pals at JACKARTS, part of BUILDHOLLYWOOD.

From Manchester to cities across the UK, UP NEXT is giving emerging creative voices the opportunity to see their work in public spaces, in front of entirely new audiences.

And we’re only just getting started.

The next round hits the streets in OCTOBER. 📢

If you want a shot at having your work included give us a đź‘‹ in the comments or apply at the link in our bio before 1 October đź”—

If you’ve already submitted a piece – you’re all set!

Whether you’re an artist, illustrator, photographer, designer or image-maker, we’d love to see what you’re working on.

Short Supply Ă— JACKARTS

What would you do with eight huge public-art boards?This October, we’re launching the first in a new series of artist-le...
17/09/2026

What would you do with eight huge public-art boards?

This October, we’re launching the first in a new series of artist-led campaigns across eight boards at First Street, Manchester—beginning with work by an artist selected through MADE IT 2026 🎓

But this is only the start. We’re building a pool of artists interested in taking over the boards for future campaigns, and we’d love to hear your ideas.

We’re not asking for finished artwork or a fully developed proposal. Just send us:

🎨 A simple pitch explaining what you would do with the eight boards
đź‘€ A few examples of your work or a link to your portfolio
đź’­ Anything that helps us picture how the idea could work across the full suite

Interested? Send your idea to us with the subject line FIRST STREET ARTIST POOL.

We can’t wait to see what you’d do with the space. 🟧🟦

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