The Factory

Factory International runs Manchester International Festival and operates Aviva Studios, a cultural space in Manchester, England. History Factory International builds on the legacy of Manchester International Festival (MIF), which focusses on performing arts, visual arts and popular culture. The festival is staged across Greater Manchester – from theatres, galleries and concert halls to railway depots, churches and car parks. Plans to build a new cultural building in Manchester were announced in December 2014 by then Chancellor, George Osborne, who pledged a £78 million investment as part of the Northern Powerhouse programme. The project was backed by Manchester City Council, which stated that the venue would "play an integral part in helping Manchester and the north of England provide a genuine cultural counterbalance to London". In January 2017, MIF were named as the operators of the new cultural venue, tasked with developing its ideas and programme.