Following the success of their earlier programme, Amani Creatives developed a second programme, Amani Stages, enabling them to engage with venues and festivals locally and nationally to further develop their profile and exposure for participating artists.
CAN supported Amani Creatives to secure a second successful Arts Council England grant, as well as mentoring the group to develop more knowledge in marketing, producing and staging a gig.
Through the programme, Amani Creatives performed at London’s Barbican Centre, MIF, Sale’s Waterside Arts Centre, Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens, HOME, Oldham Library’s Live@thelibrary programme for the town’s celebrations of Refugee Week in 2018, Journeys Festival International and with the award-winning Afro Celt Sound System at Manchester’s RNCM.
Through an exciting collaboration with Afro Celt Sound System, members of Amani Creatives performed to an audience of 25,000 people at 2018’s Cropedy Festival and went on to support the band on its UK tour. Some of the group appeared on Afro Celt Sound System’s critically acclaimed Flight album which received a four-star review in the Observer newspaper.
Amani Creatives continued to grow their visibility by performing at international World Music festivals and receiving a nomination in the Promotion of Diversity and Equality category in 2018’s Manchester Culture Awards.