Artist Development

About

Nurturing the next generation

Wherever you are on your creative journey, we’ll support you every step of the way through the Lowry Artist Develop Programmes.

Since 2009, we’ve been some of the voices shouting the loudest in the world of Artist Development. We’re all about unlocking opportunities, growing talent and providing ways for artists to show bold and one-of-kind work to audiences everywhere - close to home and in other corners of the world.

We’re proud to say the Lowry Artist Development Programme is supported by Arts Council England and Salford City Council. 

We dream big so you can too

We fuel innovation. We empower your ideas. We drive positive change in the creative and arts sectors. We help make the impossible possible because what’s important to you is important to us.

Investing in people not projects

We build long-term relationships with artists with no pressure to produce finished performances or exhibitions. We’re here for the whole journey, not just the end result.

We work hard to ensure that underrepresented artists get access to priority support - those who are marginalised due to their age, sexuality, gender identity, ethnicity, disability status, religion or belief, socio-economic status, caring or parental responsibilities.

At Lowry, art is for everyone and culture is for the many, not the few. We champion artists and creatives with all kinds of stories to tell.

Feeling inspired?

We’re always excited to chat to new partners, artists and funders about how we could join forces.

Get in touch by emailing artistdevelopment@thelowry.com - we’d love to hear from you!

Programmes

Artist Network

Check out our latest opportunities and helpful resources for artists.

Associate Artists

Partnerships with mid-career artists who want to tackle the challenges of our industry as well as developing their practice.

Developed With

Developed With is a 12-18 month programme supporting dynamic artists and companies.

Sixth House Theatre

Formed through Lowry’s Hothouse Artist Development programme in 2024, Sixth House is a collective of six dynamic, multidisciplinary artists – Natassa Argyropoulou, Pui-ka Cheng, Gabriel Clark, Samuel Tracy, Chloe Wade and Dan Willis – who are committed to making theatre that feels urgent, inventive and alive.

Homegrown

An Online Symposium on Home-Based Creative Practice. Homegrown brings together artists, producers and organisations to explore the possibilities and challenges of home-based creative practice.

Creative Producer Development Programme

A programme to develop early-to mid-career producers in Greater Manchester. Delivered in partnership with Lowry, HOME, Z-arts and Company Chameleon.

Venice Biennale Fellowship Programme

Find out more about our involvement in this international development programme.

New Earth Academy

In partnership with New Earth Theatre, New Earth Academy+ is a new development programme for East Asian and South East Asian performers and theatre makers based in the North West of England

Artist Assembly

Join us for a landmark event that brings our creative community together to celebrate and shape the future of artist development.

Scratch Nights

Since 2016, Scratch Nights (previously called Shoots) have been offering an evening dedicated to the development of brand-new work.

Better Connected

Better Connected is a new initiative from Greater Manchester Arts (GM Arts) developed in partnership with artists and arts organisations based in Salford.

Shedinburgh 2026

Shedinburgh is a brand-new venue with a curated programme of theatre, comedy, and music from your favourite fringe artists.

Normground

NORMGROUND is Far From The Norm's flagship performer development programme for artists who work at the intersection of Hip Hop and Contemporary dance.