Universal Sculpture Hub is proud to announce a landmark collaboration with the Manchester Art Museum — a binding agreement valued at $6,500,000 (Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), representing one of the most significant public art investment partnerships in recent UK history.
The contract, signed on 31 October 2025 and formally announced today, establishes a multi-year creative programme spanning commissioned sculpture, curatorial residencies, and a new public engagement initiative designed to bring world-class contemporary art directly to communities across Greater Manchester.
"This partnership is a statement of intent — that art belongs to everyone, not just gallery walls. We are thrilled to be building something lasting with the Manchester Art Museum team." — Universal Sculpture Hub, Executive Director
The agreement covers three distinct phases: an open commission for site-specific sculpture across six public locations in Manchester; a residency programme inviting emerging artists to work alongside the museum's curatorial team; and a digital archive project documenting the city's sculpture heritage from 1950 to present.
Works are expected to be unveiled in a phased programme beginning in late 2026, with the first installations scheduled for Spring 2027. Full details of the commission brief — including eligibility, submission guidelines, and evaluation criteria — will be published on both institutions' websites ahead of the open call.
For press enquiries regarding this announcement, please contact the Universal Sculpture Hub communications team directly via the details listed on our contact page.