Therme Manchester partners with Manchester Art Fair to inspire the next generation of artists

Young people across Trafford and Salford are being invited to showcase their creativity through a new public art competition, launched as part of a major partnership between Therme Manchester and Manchester Art Fair.

Therme Manchester has been named an associate sponsor of this year’s Manchester Art Fair, taking place at Manchester Central from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November.

As part of the event, the city’s future wellbeing resort is launching its ‘Artists of the Future’ competition, which will see young people design artwork to be displayed on the hoardings surrounding the construction site at TraffordCity. The winning pieces will be reproduced professionally and featured on a large public outdoor gallery for the duration of the development.

The initiative forms part of Therme’s wider social value strategy, aiming to promote health, creativity and inclusion through community engagement. Delivered in partnership with Gorse Hill Studios in Stretford, the project is open to schools and youth groups in Trafford and Salford, with all necessary materials supplied to ensure equal access.

Children and young people will be encouraged to explore themes of nature, water, fun and wellbeing, concepts central to Therme’s vision of creating accessible, immersive environments focused on happiness and health.

Workshops will be held during Manchester Art Fair to introduce the activity to families and young artists. Gorse Hill Studios will run sessions on Saturday 22 November from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, and again on Sunday 23 November from 1.30pm to 3pm.

Therme UK’s Head of Social Value and Partnerships, Rob Creber, said: “Therme Manchester is about wellbeing, community and connection. By launching this competition, we’re giving young people a unique platform to express themselves, connect with their local area, and shape the look and feel of our site during construction.

“It’s about creating positive change while celebrating creativity, right at the heart of the community that will help define our future home.”

Thom Hetherington, founder of Manchester Art Fair, said the partnership felt like a natural fit. “Art has a vital role to play in society, and everything we do at Manchester Art Fair is about building a strong cultural foundation across the North. This partnership with Therme Manchester reflects that aim and will help unlock the artistic talent that runs through Trafford and Salford.”

Therme Manchester is set to be the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort, combining indoor and outdoor pools, thermal zones, botanical gardens, art, and technology under one roof. The resort promises a space for families and individuals to relax, connect and recharge, aligned with Therme Group’s global mission of making wellbeing accessible for all.