Who’s involved

Organisations large and small from across the region and beyond have come together to deliver the We Invented the Weekend festival which is testament to an idea and concept that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds and is right for the times. We Invented the Weekend is a true partnership project with generous contributions from a number of key partners including Auto Trader, The Lowry, BBC, University of Salford, Bupa Foundation, Royal Horticultural Society, Factory International,  Manchester United Youth Foundation, Sounds From the Other City, as well as many other arts and community organisations across the city.

The festival is funded by Salford City Council, MediaCity (a Peel Group and Landsec partnership), Arts Council England and GMCA Culture Fund. It is governed and supported by Salford’s Culture & Place Partnership, a cross-city collective delivering Salford’s strategy for culture, creativity.

The event delivery partners are HemingwayDesign who hold an impressive track record of large-scale public engagement events across the country, and Quays Culture who have significant experience in delivering large and innovative outdoor art exhibitions in Salford Quays.

With large parts of the programme co-created with Salford’s and Greater Manchester’s communities, alongside content delivered by its internationally renowned culture producers, this is a festival by the people, for the people, celebrating the region’s rich diversity and making sure to acknowledge the millions of people across the UK who work on Saturdays and Sundays too.

We Invented the Weekend’s Festival Director is Kate Doyle, and the Festival Board includes Wayne Hemingway MBE who is Creative Director, Salford’s City Mayor, Paul Dennett, Julia Fawcett OBE, Chief Executive of The Lowry, Gwen Oakden, Development Director at The Lowry, Heidi Dawson, Head of BBC Salford & Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, Tommy Nagra, Director of Content, BBC Children in Need, Victoria Braddock, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, Rebecca Swarray, GMCA Culture Team and Josie Cahill, Head of BBC Partnerships and Engagement.