Phil Sharp, John Nichols, BBC, Nasima Begum, Jake Edwards & Katie O'Neill, Nathaniel Hall, Dan Collins, Joel Chester Fildes, Steve Ullathorne.
Manchester’s multi-arts venue Contact is welcoming ten Patrons for the first time.
The Patrons are all from or have lived and worked in Manchester and all have a personal connection to Contact. They will help strength the organisation's support network and continue its mission to support young people’s creativity and ideas.
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama-trained actor FISAYO AKINADE, British-Libyan actor and director ADAM ALI, broadcaster NIHAL ARTHANAYAKE and poet, producer and actor NASIMA BEGUM have all been named Patrons, alongside CARL AUSTIN-BEHAN, a previous board member and President of Contact, who was also the first openly gay Lord Mayor of Manchester.
Joining them are theatre-maker and HIV activist NATHANIEL HALL, actress and drama facilitator HAIESHA MISTRY and artist and performer HETAIN PATEL.
Completing the list of Patrons are poet, playwright and performer LOUISE WALLWEIN, and writer, producer, comedian and actor SOPHIE WILLAN, who is a former member of Contact Young Company.
“Contact is more than an arts venue. It’s a home and a community where new artists and young people are listened to, nurtured and expertly developed in a way that no other venue does,” Willan said.
“I’m so excited to now be a patron, who will have the privilege and joy of watching and supporting the next generation of voices at Contact as they become leaders, activists and creative spearheads.”
Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer KEISHA THOMPSON said having the new Patrons announced in the venue’s 50th year is a joy for the whole team.
“We know that they will contribute as trailblazing individuals with a passion for supporting and drawing attention to our creatives through Contact’s programmes, outreach and shows,” Thompson added.
Development Manager JANE HALL said: “We wanted to bring closer the incredible people who have historical links with Contact, and we wanted it to be genuine”.
“As a team, we knew the ‘ask’ had to be something different and creative. So we created a wish list of involvement that ranged from mentoring our participants, hosting dinners for potential funders to running workshops with our Young Company or having a cocktail named after them at the bar.”