Threads of a City: The Manchester Tapestry Project - Research Workshops

Join the research team behind the Manchester Tapestry Project, a citywide artwork celebrating the stories, people, and spirit of Manchester through collaborative textile design.

These research workshops will be guided by Dr Lisa Gold, lead for the Manchester Tapestry Project, in partnership with Manchester Histories. Over 14 weeks, participants will work as part of the research team to explore a theme from Manchester’s rich history, spanning 1853 to the present day. The aim of the project is to co-create 28 tapestry panels that will tell Manchester's stories.

Each group will research a specific theme, which will later become a tapestry panel. For example, one panel explores Northern Soul, dance, and the Manchester music scene, with researchers uncovering stories, notes, and source material to inform the final design. Other panels will delve into Manchester’s more complex histories, bringing overlooked stories to light.

At a later stage, the design team will translate these community stories into the visual design of the tapestry panels.

At the first session on Wednesday 4 February, we will be joined by Andrew Crummy, the artist and designer behind the Great Scottish Tapestry, who will be giving a talk.

This is a fantastic opportunity and will be a real highlight of the project.

• When: Every Wednesday from 4 February to 27 May 2026
• Time: 1–4pm
• Commitment: Attendance at all 14 weeks is not mandatory, but regular participation is strongly encouraged.
• Location: Manchester Histories Hub, Lower Ground Floor, Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester M2 5PD

The Manchester Tapestry Project offers many opportunities for public participation - from research and storytelling to the design of tapestry panels and their embroidery. We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences to help tell the diverse and rich stories of Manchester.

This is a unique opportunity to explore how history, craft, and storytelling come together in a participatory art project that reflects Manchester’s diverse identities. Ideal for people interested in history, visual communication, or community arts, but all enthusiasts are welcome.

The venue is fully accessible. To help us make this event as inclusive as possible, please contact us at least two weeks in advance regarding any specific access requirements, including BSL interpretation or other support needs.

Email: [email protected]
Call: 0161 306 1982

Please get in touch if you have any queries.

When registering for this event, we will ask some questions about your age, gender, ethnicity, disability, and postcode. This information helps us report back to our funders and better understand our audiences so we can ensure we reach as many people as possible now and in the future. All information is collected anonymously.

Threads of a city: The Manchester Tapestry Project is generously supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund, This is Us: Tracing Manchester's Histories Project, Manchester Histories, Manchester City Council, Behrens, Visage Textiles, Spinning Jenny, The Craft Cotton Co, and DeVere Yarns. We are grateful for their support in making this project possible.

Thanks to National Lottery Players.

Info: Weeks 1-3: Research for the first six tapestry panels.

Info: Weeks 1-3: Research for the first six tapestry panels. Panel 1: Manchester becomes a city (1850s - Communities, industry, culture) Panel 2: Cottonopolis at its height: Global Industry, human hands Panel 3: Canals, Railways & Industrial Innovation (1850s to 1900s) Panel 4: Health, Housing and Reform Panel 5: Parks, Nature, Public Spaces and Rivers (1853 to present) Panel 6: Trade Unions and Solidarity

Info: Weeks 1-3: Research for the first six tapestry panels. Panel 1: Manchester becomes a city (1850s - Communities, industry, culture) Panel 2: Cottonopolis at its height: Global Industry, human hands Panel 3: Canals, Railways & Industrial Innovation (1850s to 1900s) Panel 4: Health, Housing and Reform Panel 5: Parks, Nature, Public Spaces and Rivers (1853 to present) Panel 6: Trade Unions and Solidarity

Info: Weeks 4-6: Research for tapestry panels 7-12. Panel 7: The fight for votes & equality Panel 8: Pan-Africanism, Black Activism and Mutual (1945-1980s) Panel 9: LGBTQ+ Visibility & Resistance (1960s - present) Panel 10: Protest, Climate Change & Civic Action (1970s - present) Panel 11: Learning, Science and Making the Future Panel 12: Science, Invention & Technological Transformation (Late 19th to ealy 20th century)

Info: Weeks 4-6: Research for tapestry panels 7-12. Panel 7: The fight for votes & equality Panel 8: Pan-Africanism, Black Activism and Mutual (1945-1980s) Panel 9: LGBTQ+ Visibility & Resistance (1960s - present) Panel 10: Protest, Climate Change & Civic Action (1970s - present) Panel 11: Learning, Science and Making the Future Panel 12: Science, Invention & Technological Transformation (Late 19th to ealy 20th century)

Info: Weeks 4-6: Research for tapestry panels 7-12. Panel 7: The fight for votes & equality Panel 8: Pan-Africanism, Black Activism and Mutual (1945-1980s) Panel 9: LGBTQ+ Visibility & Resistance (1960s - present) Panel 10: Protest, Climate Change & Civic Action (1970s - present) Panel 11: Learning, Science and Making the Future Panel 12: Science, Invention & Technological Transformation (Late 19th to ealy 20th century)

Info: Weeks 7-9: Research for tapestry panels 13–18 . Panel 13: Manchester's enduring impact on science, economics and peace. Panel 14: MediaCityUK: Digital technologies & creative infrastructure Panel 15: Communities & cultures - migration & community life. Panel 16: Neighbourhoods and boundaries: local identity (1974- present). Panel 17: Disability, care and hidden labour. Panel 18: Everyday Manchester - Daily life in a multicultural city (2000s - present).

Info: Weeks 7-9: Research for tapestry panels 13–18 . Panel 13: Manchester's enduring impact on science, economics and peace. Panel 14: MediaCityUK: Digital technologies & creative infrastructure Panel 15: Communities & cultures - migration & community life. Panel 16: Neighbourhoods and boundaries: local identity (1974- present). Panel 17: Disability, care and hidden labour. Panel 18: Everyday Manchester - Daily life in a multicultural city (2000s - present).

Info: Weeks 7-9: Research for tapestry panels 13–18 . Panel 13: Manchester's enduring impact on science, economics and peace. Panel 14: MediaCityUK: Digital technologies & creative infrastructure Panel 15: Communities & cultures - migration & community life. Panel 16: Neighbourhoods and boundaries: local identity (1974- present). Panel 17: Disability, care and hidden labour. Panel 18: Everyday Manchester - Daily life in a multicultural city (2000s - present).

Info: Weeks 10-12: Research for tapestry panels 19–24. Panel 19: Making, thinking, creating (cultural output) Panel 20: Northern soul, dance Panel 21: Manchester Music - Sound that changed the world (1950s to present) Panel 22: Manchester on screen: Actors, Comedy and Television (1950s to present) Panel 23: Made in Manchester Panel 24: Sport, War, Welfare and Resilience

Info: Weeks 10-12: Research for tapestry panels 19–24. Panel 19: Making, thinking, creating (cultural output) Panel 20: Northern soul, dance Panel 21: Manchester Music - Sound that changed the world (1950s to present) Panel 22: Manchester on screen: Actors, Comedy and Television (1950s to present) Panel 23: Made in Manchester Panel 24: Sport, War, Welfare and Resilience

Info: Weeks 10-12: Research for tapestry panels 19–24. Panel 19: Making, thinking, creating (cultural output) Panel 20: Northern soul, dance Panel 21: Manchester Music - Sound that changed the world (1950s to present) Panel 22: Manchester on screen: Actors, Comedy and Television (1950s to present) Panel 23: Made in Manchester Panel 24: Sport, War, Welfare and Resilience

Info: Weeks 13-14: Research for tapestry panels 25–28. Panel 25: Global game, local pride (1960s to present). Panel 26: War, loss, civic memory and birth of welfare (1914-1948). Panel 27: The Birth of Welfare & NHS - Health, hope and community care (Post WW2 to present). Panel 28: 1996 and 2017 : Bombs, loss and renewal

Info: Weeks 13-14: Research for tapestry panels 25–28.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Manchester Central Library, Manchester Histories Hub, Manchester, United Kingdom

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