Culture in the North is Our Passion

Based in the North of England EASELprojects is best known for running Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary, which together constitute the largest art market ecology outside of London, as well as the philanthropic Manchester Contemporary Art Fund.

With over 20 years’ experience in delivering large scale trade and consumer exhibitions in the culture and hospitality sectors EASELprojects also provides consultancy, marketing and operations support to organisers and partners hosting events in Manchester and the North.

The Organisers

Co-Founder and Executive Chair Thom Hetherington is a seasoned figure in the UK arts and hospitality world. He is also founder of Landing Light, a consultancy specialising in culture, hospitality and placemaking strategy. Thom’s work makes him a key advocate for regional cultural growth, both as a trustee of Factory International (following similar roles at Urbis, Castlefield Gallery and Manchester Art Gallery) and as a Soho House creative industries mentor.

Sophie Helm is the Co‑Founder and Managing Director of EASELprojects. In her role as Fair Director, she has steered Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary for fifteen years, shaping its growth into one of the UK’s most significant contemporary art events. She has long been active in broader cultural advocacy for the region, culminating in her recent appointment by Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for DCMS, to the newly revamped Creative Industries Council.

The Manchester Contemporary

The Manchester Contemporary is the place to discover and collect critically engaged contemporary artists. It has been supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England between 2009- 2025.

TMC Art Fund

In 2017, Thom Hetherington launched The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund with a group of local businesspeople and since then it has gifted work, acquired from galleries exhibiting at The Manchester Contemporary, worth a combined £115,000 to Manchester Art Gallery's collection.

Collector Programme

The Manchester Contemporary Collector Programme exists to develop a new generation of private collectors as well as welcoming existing collectors. The programme includes unique social events, guided tours of the fair with gallerist introductions and the chance to meet other like minded collectors.