An open letter addressed to “to the Curators and Exhibition Programmers of Manchester” and signed by 86 artists is calling for the bigger museums and galleries of Manchester to give more exposure to local artists. The letter, which has been warmly received by online commenters, laments the city’s arts budget being spent on promoting the work of artists from London and abroad, and points to the economic benefits that a thriving local arts scene can bring. It warns that Manchester galleries “need to increase participation by the region's artists in the work they do” and that an opportunity is being missed for Manchester to be recognised as a centre of creativity, like Glasgow, Leeds or Liverpool.
Maria Balshaw, Director of Manchester City Galleries and Whitworth Art Gallery, responds: “We do show a significant number of Manchester artists across a wider range of the visual arts… We look forward to continued discussion with artist colleagues across the city and continuing to show and acquire work by artists based in our city.”