05 December 2005

Manchester International Festival announces record sponsorship deal

United Utilities, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Bruntwood have today announced a £1.8 million sponsorship agreement with the Manchester International Festival - the world's first international festival of original, new work designed to place Manchester firmly at the centre of the international cultural scene.

Arts & Business reports that these agreements represent the largest sponsorship deal for a single festival in the UK, with the sponsorships being confirmed eighteen months in advance of the event. (Source: Arts & Business Survey 2005).

This major sponsorship deal is in addition to over £2.5 million funding already awarded to the festival from Manchester City Council and the Urban Cultural Programme.

The biennial Manchester International Festival will launch in July 2007 with a series of high profile large-scale new commissions from the world's leading artists in music, film, theatre, visual arts and creativity. The sold-out and critically acclaimed Gorillaz: Demon Days Live gigs at Manchester Opera House from 1 to 5 November marked the first of three trailblazer events in the build up to the inaugural festival.

United Utilities, the NWDA and Bruntwood share a commitment to local industry, business and development in the Northwest; all three were previously involved in the sponsorship of the hugely successful Commonwealth Games in 2002, which attracted a massive 1 million visitors to Manchester for the 10 days of the games, and is subsequently estimated to attract an additional 300,000 new visitors to the region each year.

John Roberts CBE, Chief Executive, United Utilities, stated: "We are keen to build on the special relationship we developed with the city during the Commonwealth Games in 2002, and in particular our sponsorship for the festival will focus on their volunteering programme".

"Manchester is a vibrant city, right at the heart of our core utility operations here in the Northwest. As a key employer and provider of essential services we are already an important part of the community - our support for the Manchester International Festival will be a natural extension of this"

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive, Northwest Regional Development Agency commented: "The NWDA is pleased to provide its support for this major festival. It is extremely fitting that the event is being held here in England's Northwest - one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world.
This unique festival will showcase the wealth of artistic talent, diverse culture and world class innovation that exists both here in the region, nationally and internationally to a world-wide audience, placing the Northwest firmly on the map as a leading region for creative industries."

Chris Oglesby, Chief Executive, Bruntwood said: "Manchester has now established itself as a city that plays host to true world class events. At Bruntwood, we are proud of the part that we have played and continue to play in these events. They have a real tangible effect on local 'feel-good', whilst bringing major national and international recognition.

The Manchester International Festival will introduce world class artistic and cultural events in a manner that has never been seen before, whilst at the same time, appealing to a broad audience. This ambitious combination is typically Manchester and typically Bruntwood."

Tom Bloxham MBE, Chair, Manchester International Festival, commented: "A great festival needs the backing of the public, good financial stewardship, and critically, to be an artistic success.  Therefore progress on the festival has been fantastic.  We have now raised over £4m, presented Gorillaz: Demon Days Live as our first trailblazer, and proved that Manchester International Festival can, and will, stage truly world class events.  We're thrilled that such respected companies have come on board and their support will enable us to deliver this ambitious festival in 2007 and present two more trailblazers next year."

ARTS & BUSINESS
On December 6th 2005, Arts & Business will release the Private Investment in the Arts Report - the only survey in the world to produce the figures and reports on both business individual giving, business rises and investment from trusts and foundations. The A&B figures for 2004/5 will show the level of private investment in the overall arts funding mix. (For details: please call Jonathan Tuchner on 020 7940 6412 jonathan.tuchner@AandB.org.uk, or visit wwwAandB.org.uk)

*NOTES TO EDITORS:

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
The Manchester International Festival - the world's first ever international festival of original, new work - takes place for the first time in late June and early July 2007, and thereafter every two years.  The idea to launch an international festival was first conceived by Manchester City Council, who appointed Alex Poots to create a unique festival for Manchester

UNITED UTILITIES
Provides regulated water, wastewater and electricity services to 7 million people in the Northwest and is the only FTSE 100 company headquartered in the region. United Utilities have spent the last fifteen years improving drinking water and the environment in the Northwest region. As part of its sponsorship of the Manchester International Festival United Utilities will have exclusive association with the volunteer programme.

NORTHWEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Supporting and promoting the region's creative and cultural sector is a key priority for the NWDA, which is committed to ensuring that the region makes the most of its outstanding creative talent and secures further growth in this important sector. Creative and cultural industries already contribute £3 billion to the regional economy, which is generated by 140,000 people, more than any other region outside of London and the South East. The Agency is working to accelerate the development of this strong and vibrant sector, as an integral part of promoting England's Northwest as a dynamic region of creative excellence.

BRUNTWOOD
One of the largest private property companies in the north of England, Bruntwood own over 70 buildings, comprising 5m sq.ft of office space, across Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. Bruntwood"s most established market is Greater Manchester where they own 25% of the total city centre office market.

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL 
Manchester City Council is proud to support Manchester International Festival to enhance the national and international reputation of the city. Manchester City Council"s aim is to improve cultural and economic opportunities for everyone who lives, works, invests and enjoys themselves in Manchester.

URBAN CULTURAL PROGRAMME
The Urban Cultural Programme provides funding for cultural projects taking place in urban areas across the UK. The Programme is a partnership between the Millennium Commission and Arts Council England.
     
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