Quays Culture

Quays Culture Presenting new, immersive and exciting public realm exhibitions with a focus on creativity and technology. Main funders - GMCA and ACE

We are the team behind Lightwaves Salford and We Invented the Weekend festivals. Quays Culture at MediaCityUK immerses audiences into new and exciting public-realm exhibitions with a focus on creativity, technology and digital innovation - attracting local and international talent to Greater Manchester. Our partners include The Lowry, Salford University, MediaCityUK, Quayside, Salford City Council and GMCA.

Open call for Black and POC artists to develop a new light artwork in 's Illumine programme!Who is it for?✊🏾Black and PO...
21/07/2026

Open call for Black and POC artists to develop a new light artwork in 's Illumine programme!

Who is it for?
✊🏾Black and POC artists or collectives
✊🏾Based in the UK
✊🏾Recognised portfolio of work in light art or other medium

Why apply?
🔧Research and development bursary of £8,000 for an artwork proposal
🔧Projected production budget up to £70,000
🔧Touring opportunities at different festivals in the LUTN network between October 2027 and February 2028
🔧Support, training, mentorship and connection opportunities across the network

Online info session on Monday 17 August 6pm
Apply before Friday 11 September 5pm

Find out more in the link in bio.

📌 Open call for artists!Are you an early to mid-career creative who lives, works or studies in Salford? The CreaTech Art...
06/07/2026

📌 Open call for artists!

Are you an early to mid-career creative who lives, works or studies in Salford? The CreaTech Artist CoLab is an expanded artist development programme exploring the intersection of creativity and technology, delivered in partnership with , and the .

About the Programme:
💡From August to early September 2026, primarily at the University of Salford and partner locations across the city, with additional optional sessions at
💡A structured programme for 10 artists, with workshops, development sessions and supported making time
💡Strands cover (1) AI and Creative Practice, (2) Theatre, Performance and Technology, (3) Fashion and Digital Making, and (4) Immersive Experience
💡Access to facilities including XR labs, digital studios and fabrication resources at the University of Salford
💡Support from specialist facilitators and technical staff

Why Apply?
✅Time and space to develop your practice within a cohort of peers
✅Opportunities to connect with artists, practitioners and partners working in CreaTech
✅A bursary of £250 to support your participation
✅A free ticket to the Beyond Conference 
✅Opportunity for a new commission of up to £5,000 to produce work for the University of Salford Art Collection and present it at the Beyond Festival fringe

Deadline: Sunday 12 July 2026, midnight

Find out more and apply at the link in bio.

🎭 CALLING LIGHT ARTISTS!Are you an artist looking to expand your international collaborations?The LUCI Light Festival Wo...
25/06/2026

🎭 CALLING LIGHT ARTISTS!

Are you an artist looking to expand your international collaborations?

The LUCI Light Festival Working Group is organising an Online Speed Dating session connecting artists directly with festival representatives from across the LUCI network.

📅 22 September 2026
🕙 10:00–11:00 CET or 17:00–18:00 CET

This dynamic, 2 hour format offers:
✅ Direct exchange with multiple festival teams
✅ Opportunity to present your work in focused meetings
✅ Potential touring and co creation opportunities
✅ Easy online participation from anywhere

🗓 Apply before 15 August 2026

Discover more on the initiative and how to apply at the link in bio.

This is a unique opportunity to build meaningful international connections in an efficient and accessible format.

We look forward to discovering new artistic projects and fostering future collaborations.

100 Days to go until Salford turns 100! 🎉On 21 April 2026, Salford will mark 100 years since being granted city status b...
11/01/2026

100 Days to go until Salford turns 100! 🎉

On 21 April 2026, Salford will mark 100 years since being granted city status by a Royal Charter by King George V - and the countdown starts now!

From local heroes and hidden histories to big cultural moments and neighbourhood celebrations, Salford centenary is about our people, our pride and our future.

👉 Sign up to the newsletter to find out what’s coming up, how to get involved and how to share your Salford story at: www.salford100.org.uk

Let’s make it a year to remember!

🌟 Artist Development Day 🌟Join artists, producers and technical specialists for an afternoon exploring how light‑based a...
08/01/2026

🌟 Artist Development Day 🌟

Join artists, producers and technical specialists for an afternoon exploring how light‑based and outdoor work is developed, produced and commissioned.

Through chats with and we’ll uncover producer insights and a practical development session, we’ll share tools, ideas and support for artists working – or looking to work – at scale.

🕐 1:00–5:00pm
📍 Lowry (aldridge studio)
🍸 Followed by informal networking drinks

Perfect for artists, producers and creatives curious about light, sound, outdoor and touring work.

🔗 Booking info in bio

Producers CreativeTechnology PublicArt

How amazing are these photos from 😍 full gallery from Lightwaves coming in January!! All of us at Quays Culture would l...
22/12/2025

How amazing are these photos from 😍 full gallery from Lightwaves coming in January!!

All of us at Quays Culture would like to wish you a very warm and bright Merry Christmas 🎄

Excited for wha’s to come in 2026…

QC x

p.s there’s still a chance to win a £50 Nell’s Pizza voucher by completing the short survey in our bio!

There’s still time to win a £50 voucher for in MediaCity!!! All you have to do is complete the short survey in our bio ...
15/12/2025

There’s still time to win a £50 voucher for in MediaCity!!! All you have to do is complete the short survey in our bio about your experience of Lightwaves Salford 2025 … 😋

Amazing photos courtesy of A reminder to complete the survey in our bio for a chance to win a £50 Nell’s voucher! 😋🍕
09/12/2025

Amazing photos courtesy of

A reminder to complete the survey in our bio for a chance to win a £50 Nell’s voucher! 😋🍕

🥲 And just like that, Lightwaves 2025 is over! We can’t thank you enough for coming out and braving the weather to celeb...
08/12/2025

🥲 And just like that, Lightwaves 2025 is over!

We can’t thank you enough for coming out and braving the weather to celebrate Lightwaves 2025 with us. We would love to hear your thoughts so that we can continuously work to improve our programmes - the link to the survey is below and in our bio. By entering, you’ll be automatically entered to win a £50 gift card at Media City! 😋🍕

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Lightwaves_Salford_2025

We’d like to give a special thanks to all the incredible artists involved:





spark




Bowman

studio

As well as:

















More photos coming soon!

QC x ❤️

06/12/2025

Have you got visited Lightwaves Salford yet? Hear from these visitors about their favourite artworks and what they've enjoyed most this year. Hope you can join us today or tomorrow (our last day is Sunday 7th December, 4-10pm)

Lightwaves Salford 2025, trail of 12 outdoor light artworks dotted around Salford Quays and MediaCity. Running over 4 nights - 4-7 December, 4-10pm. FREE - no need to book, just turn up and enjoy! 🌟 Don't miss it! 🌟



Film by .creative

Address

The Lowry, Pier 8
Salford
M503AZ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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