About Us.

CAN is a long-established Manchester-based arts organisation. We are an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and a Manchester City Council Cultural Partnership Funded Organisation. We build deep, long-lasting connections with communities across Greater Manchester, developing unique, creative projects with people whose voices are not normally heard in the mainstream.

“The work of CAN is unique…informative, empowering and inspiring.”

ACE Artistic Quality Assessment, February 2020.

CAN has led the field in community arts since 1978 and is at the cutting edge of intercultural arts practice. We have particular expertise and interest in arts and migration.

Through exciting and high-quality creative projects with artists, communities and young people, CAN share powerful creative work; shining a light on new talent and fresh voices, and enriching Greater Manchester’s cultural landscape.

CAN’s work is firmly rooted in social justice and driven by ethical values:

We stand in solidarity with people at the sharp end of poverty and oppression, believing that everyone is creative, and through cultural expression people on the margins will have a voice and provoke change.
Co-creation and shared leadership are crucial for CAN to develop deep and lasting connections with communities, young people, artists, audiences and partners.
We champion equality and strive for diversity in the artists we work with, our staff and Board, and the organisations we choose to work with.
We welcome new migrant communities as collaborators and creative partners, and we are a home for emerging artists, especially those who are new to the UK.

See some of our programmes:

Artist Development
Children and Young People
Exodus

“Shaping your own cultural identity – and having it recognised by others – is central to human dignity and growth. If people can’t represent themselves culturally how can they do so politically?”

François Matarasso

More about us...

History

Community Arts North West was launched on 23 October 1978 as Community Arts Mobile Workshop Team (North West) Ltd as a co-operative.

Our People

CAN consists of a core Staff Team, Special Projects Staff, Associate Artists, Board of Directors and Volunteers.

Our Values

We make an active choice to work with individuals and groups for whom social justice, or the absence of it, is a profound issue in their present or past lives.

Our Friends

We asked people to share their CAN stories with us - read some of them here.

Sustainability

CAN works hard to reduce our environmental impact, and we have monitored our CO2e production since 2012.