Some of the region’s major brands are to get behind Manchester’s creative economy this November 21 - 23, as Manchester Art Fair returns to the city.

One of the UK’s largest and most significant art events, Manchester Art Fair has attracted over 122,000 visitors to the region since its inception in 2008, amassing over £7.8m in art sales.

This year, it further elevates its offering through powerful collaborations designed to bridge the worlds of art, design and commerce.

A Fusion of Art and Automotive Excellence

Celebrated for its iconic design, Porsche Centre Preston and Porsche Centre Bolton lead the collection of high-profile partnerships for 2025 with an exhibit that fuses creativity, culture and performance.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive look at the luxury automotive brand’s one-of-a-kind Art Car - a Porsche Macan EV transformed into a vibrant rolling canvas of colour and creativity by renowned British Artist Sophie Tea.

Created at MotoArto, London, this Summer, it will be the first and last time that the exhibit will be available to see in the Northwest ahead of it being decommissioned.

Also appearing with Porsche and contributing to this year’s inspiring and engaging Art Talk Programme will be acclaimed artist Carla Raads.  Born in South Africa before relocating to the UK and setting up home in Lytham St Annes, the artist recognised for her sunset oil on canvas paintings will speak on her collaboration with Porsche, ‘Dream in Full Colour’, which saw Raads transform a Porsche in the brand’s iconic colours.  The talk, Powered by Porsche, will take place on Saturday 22nd November at 3pm.

An Enchanting Spectacle

The creative momentum continues with Boodles, the British luxury jewellery brand founded in Liverpool and which this year celebrates 25 years of one of its most cherished and iconic designs, the Raindance Ring.

Part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s permanent jewellery exhibition ‘Best of British Design’, it is fitting that Boodles should choose Manchester Art Fair at which to showcase its newest collection, Raindance 25. 

Hear from Boodles’ Director of Design, Rebecca Hawkins, on Saturday 22 November (12pm) when she will share how, captivated by the play of light on raindrops one summer’s day, she was inspired to create the now iconic Raindance collection.

Further demonstrating the relationship between great British design and world-renowned art, visitors will have the opportunity to see the fine jeweller’s recent high-profile work with the National Gallery, to mark the British institution’s 200-year anniversary.

Inspired by the National Gallery’s Masterpieces, and more specifically four themes: Play of Lights, Perspective, Brushstrokes and Motherhood, visitors can gain a valuable insight on the detail of the Gallery’s treasures which inspired these unique and wearable works of art.

Speaking on the brand collaborations, Managing Director at Manchester Art Fair, Sophie Helm, said: “This year’s Manchester Art Fair is a clear statement of intent: that culture is a driving force for commerce and community in our region.  The involvement of brands such as Porsche and Boodles is testament to the fair’s growing influence and its ability to connect contemporary art with premium, accessible lifestyle experiences.”

Hospitality, Design & Culture Take Centre Stage

Further amplifying the fair’s premium yet inclusive appeal is a diverse roster of sponsors, including Therme Manchester, INNSiDE by Meliá and San Carlo, ensuring that top-tier hospitality and leisure is integrated into the visitor experience.  

They are joined by other significant names including Blok Projects, Cass Art, Cheadle Hulme School, CIVIC, EPR Architects, Jack Arts, Manchester City Council, Manchester Evening News, Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University, Torevell & Partners, and urbanbubble, representing a cross-section of industry leaders committed to supporting the arts.

Cultural partners include a-n, Castlefield Gallery, Contemporary Visual Arts Network England, esea contemporary, Friends of the Whitworth, Oldham Council, Grizedale Arts, Hallé, Liverpool Biennial, Manchester Art Gallery, Own Art, Grundy Art Gallery, The Harris, Lowry, The Portico Library and The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery.

Selling modern and contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography, and editioned prints from a uniquely diverse mix of galleries and independent artists, alongside a rich programme of artist talks, panel discussions, performances, and installations; Manchester Art Fair is a key date in the cultural calendar.

The Manchester Contemporary is the place to discover and collect critically engaged contemporary artwork presenting a carefully curated selection of independent galleries and artist-led spaces from across the UK and internationally.  The event platforms new work by emerging artists and provides inroads into public collections.

Manchester Art Fair blurs the boundaries between the traditional and the contemporary, creating a friendly and unpretentious art-buying experience.   

Tickets are available now at manchesterartfair.co.uk and priced at £12 for a day ticket, £15 for a two-day ticket, or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend.  A booking fee applies.