The Manchester College Named Finalist at the Manchester Culture Awards 2025

The Manchester College has been named as a finalist in the ‘Best Exhibition’ category in the prestigious Manchester Culture Awards 2025 for its ground-breaking Greater Mancunians project.

The Greater Mancunians Exhibition, created in partnership with students, staff, and local collaborators, celebrates the people who have shaped Greater Manchester’s rich cultural identity — from musicians and artists to community leaders and innovators. 

Rachel Curry, Principal of The Manchester College, commented: “We are incredibly proud that the Greater Mancunians Exhibition has been shortlisted for the Manchester Culture Awards. This recognition is a testament to the creativity, hard work, and collaboration of our students and staff, who have brought this project to life with passion and imagination.

“The exhibition not only showcases artistic excellence but also reflects the spirit of Manchester itself — diverse, innovative, and brimming with creative talent. The nomination highlights the central role we play in developing the next generation of creative talent and our commitment to creativity and community engagement in the city.

 “As such, it is a real honour to be part of a celebration that recognises the power of culture and education to transform lives.”

The Greater Mancunians exhibition features photos of the entertainers, sportspeople, artists, politicians, and community heroes who shaped Manchester into the city it is today. Over the course of seven years, 100 students from The Manchester College snapped photos of over 120 Greater Mancunians at personally significant locations across the region. The contributors to the project can be found here: www.greatermancunians.blog.

The Manchester Culture Awards, hosted by Manchester City Council, recognise outstanding contributions to the city’s vibrant cultural life. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Manchester Deansgate Hotel (formerly Hilton Manchester Deansgate) on Saturday 22nd November 2025, where nominees will gather for a celebration of creativity, collaboration and impact across Manchester’s arts and culture sector.