25 June 2026
Following the opening of its new accessible studio in Hulme earlier this year, Venture Arts has expanded opportunities for artists to share their work beyond traditional gallery settings, connecting them with new audiences across the city.
One recent partnership saw Manchester-based technology company Escode commission bespoke artworks by Venture Arts artists Armaghan Butt and Kathy Wilmott for its Spinningfields headquarters. Selected through a staff vote, the artworks are now displayed in Escode’s main office entrance and boardroom, celebrating both Manchester’s architectural identity and the creativity of learning disabled and neurodivergent artists.
Known for his bold designs and expressive line work, Armaghan’s work explores architecture and urban environments, with his commissioned artwork offering a striking interpretation of the Spinningfields landscape. Kathy’s practice combines flowing circular patterns with immersive colour palettes, bringing colour and movement to Escode’s workspace.
Meanwhile, visitors to Mollie’s Manchester can discover work by nine Venture Arts artists displayed throughout the hotel, introducing the artists’ work to guests from across the UK and beyond.
Together, these partnerships are helping embed learning disabled and neurodivergent artists within Manchester’s cultural and commercial life, ensuring their work is visible, represented and celebrated across the city.
“At Venture Arts, our mission is to create real opportunities for learning disabled and neurodivergent artists to develop their practice and connect with new audiences. Partnerships like these allow artists to share their work with people who may never encounter it in a gallery setting. Whether that’s someone walking into a city-centre office, staying in a Manchester hotel or visiting one of our exhibitions, every opportunity helps raise the profile of our artists and celebrate the extraordinary creativity that exists within our community.”
Katherine Long, Head of Creative Development at Venture Arts.
“Partnering with Venture Arts has been a really meaningful experience for us. We wanted to do more than just put artwork on the walls. We wanted to support artists whose perspectives aren’t always seen and create something that genuinely reflects our Manchester roots and the people who work here.”
Jo Balsamo, Associate Director – Marketing & Communications at Escode.
“I’m thrilled that we could work with Mollie’s Manchester to acquire work from Venture Arts. The work of learning-disabled artists has long been overlooked. Venture Arts is doing vital work to change that. The nine Venture artists whose work is now on permanent public display at Mollie’s bring vital perspectives to the ‘From The North’ art collection and to the wider landscape of British visual art.”
Gemma Rolls-Bentley, Curator of ‘From The North’ at Mollie’s Manchester.
The partnerships come at an exciting time for Venture Arts following the opening of its new purpose-designed, fully accessible studio in Hulme. Developed with and for learning disabled and neurodivergent artists, the new space provides improved facilities for making, exhibiting and sharing artwork, while supporting a growing programme of exhibitions, commissions and creative collaborations.
For more than 30 years, Venture Arts has championed artists who are often underrepresented within the contemporary arts sector. Today, the organisation works alongside more than 150 learning disabled and neurodivergent artists, supporting them to develop their practice, exhibit regionally, nationally and internationally, and build sustainable creative careers.
As Venture Arts continues to develop new partnerships across Greater Manchester and beyond, the organisation is demonstrating how businesses, cultural organisations and artists can work together to create a more inclusive and representative cultural landscape.
Find out more about the From The North art collection at Mollie’s Manchester here: https://mollies.com/about/from-the-north/
Find out more about Escode here: https://www.escode.com/
Press contact:
For more information, please contact Kristy Stott, Marketing and Communications Manager at comms@venturearts.org
