Community Day
The Whitworth’s 2026 Community Day brings together the spirit of Universally Manchester Festival and Refugee Week celebrations.
The Whitworth’s 2026 Community Day brings together partners, artists and communities from across Manchester to celebrate creativity, connection and belonging.
Inspired by both Universally Manchester Festival and Refugee Week, the day highlights the joy, resilience and shared experiences that grow through creative collaboration.
From the energy of Whitworth Young Contemporaries to the inclusive creativity of Venture Arts, the cultural vibrancy of Afrocats, the reflective strength of Still Parents, and the intergenerational connections nurtured through our Age-Friendly Programme, the event celebrates the many communities that shape the Whitworth.
Alongside workshops, performances, exhibitions and conversations, visitors are invited to come together, share stories and experience how art can create connection, foster understanding and celebrate Manchester’s diverse communites.
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Age Friendly
Grandparents day – Don’t be a coat holder! come and join the ARTivists, our Age Friendly older volunteers and get crafty making paper flowers and masks.
11am-2pm
Free, drop inFind out more
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Families
Join us as the gallery transforms into a hands-on play space, filled with tubes, pipes, boxes, crates, tyres and more - ready to build, explore and reimagine.
11am-3pm
Art garden/gallery 3
Free, booking requiredRead more
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Muslim Artists Academy
Calligraphy and visual arts workshop showcase with Muslim Artists Academy
11am-4pm
Upper promenade
Free, booking requiredRead more
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Venture Arts workshop
Join artist in residence Sally Hirst anytime between 11am-1pm for a relaxed and cosy sensory story about the Beneath The Great Wave Exhibition. You will feel like you are being transported into some of Sally’s favourite artworks. From the smell of tea to the sound of the ocean waves.
11am - 1pm
Meeting room 1
Free, drop inRead more
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Whitworth Young Contemporaries Makes
A young artist-led workshops making connections to Michaela Yearwood-Dan’s exhibition bringing contemporary approaches to mindful hands-on making through mixed-media abstraction of ideas. Free activity open to 16-24 year olds.
1pm-3pm
Garden StudioRead more
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Drumming performance/workshop
Everyone is welcome to drum along to the rhythms of the Djembe with musician Godfrey Pambalipe. The Djembe is a hand drum originating from West Africa and now used all over Africa, a percussion instrument which is great for developing musical and rhythmic awareness. Godfrey uses the Djembe as a tool for learning about African music and culture as children learn to play with Djembe using their hands to explore different sounds and rhythms.
1-2pm
Art Garden / Gallery 3Read more
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Still Parents
Come along and make colourful beaded name bracelets in memory of a loved one.
11am - 3pm
Upper PromenadeRead more
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Afrocats
Creative Flex present their work and hear from the Afrocats team about all their projects
11am-4pm
Upper PromenadeRead more
