TwentyTwentyTwo

Susie Stubbs
Twenty Twenty Two in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Ben Williams

Manchester art space TwentyTwentyTwo may only have been open six months or so, but it’s already developed a reputation as the sort of place where the city’s young, creative community can get its work out there. Current exhibition Made in Mancunia #2 is a case in point. A group show, it features original art, design, and illustration from some of the city’s most interesting emerging artists. Among them is Barney Ibbotson, an illustrator whose work you may have seen at Un-convention, and Manchester art graduate David Rankin, who in 2007 won the Mercury Art Prize. But this exhibition isn’t about artists you may already have heard of. It’s about new and emerging artists, just as 2022NQ is all about creating a place and a platform for them to show their work.

It’s typical of the 2022NQ approach. The hybrid art and music space was set up by a group of five friends, all of whom have a music industry background.  Unsurprisingly, they know a thing or two about running a venue; it thus follows that 2022NQ has quickly become one of the city’s hottest after-hours clubs, its flexibility meaning that it can be hired out by big brands wanting to make an impact or on a commercial basis by anyone who needs a creative space to play with.

I thought there was a gap in the market before we set up 2022NQ – now I know there is

What’s interesting, though, is how this approach – familiar territory to anyone who has worked in music – has been applied to the creative community. “We initially set up Made in Mancunia as a website to promote young, creative talent in Manchester and enable them to get paid work and experience off the back of it,” says Jamie Scahill, one of 2022NQ’s directors and the man behind Manchester’s longest-running club night, Funkademia. “Our approach is partly due to our backgrounds: we’ve worked with young designers on club night promotion and it made sense to use our experience to promote the work of designers and artists more widely.”

“I did think there was a gap in the market before we set up 2022NQ and now I know there is,” says Scahill. “It is really hard to find work if you are a young designer or artist – paid or unpaid. This is all about giving them a chance, it’s about building relationships and getting out there, talking to people and showing them what you can do.”

The fact that Scahill and co. might be on to something is backed up by the fact that they now work closely with the city’s universities. Its print magazine, for example, features Darren Newman’s intricate illustration, as well as profiles up and coming artists and writers such as James O’Connell and Jenn Ashworth. As for the artists showing work as part of Made in Mancunia, the exhibition is not just the chance to get their work out there. With everything on display for sale, and 100% of the price tag going direct to the maker, it’s also a chance to make some much-needed money.

As for 2022NQ, the future looks good. An exhibition from architecture blog the Skyliner is scheduled for late January, while in February graphic designer Dave Sedgwick presents an ambitious showcase of the work of five design agencies based in Barcelona. “Opening 2022NQ was a risk, but the reception we have had has been amazing,” says Scahill. “The difficult part will be the fact that we’re not the new kid on the block anymore. We have to keep moving and stay one step ahead with new exhibitions, new music nights, club nights – but this is familiar territory. In music you always have to stay one step ahead. People come to us with ideas and our experience means we can help people put ideas into action.”

20-22 Dale StreetManchesterM1 1EZ View map
Visit Now

Admission Charges

Free

Commercial and Hire Services

All areas for hire

Services and Facilities

Exhibition space, gig space

Opening Hours

  • Monday4:00pm - 12:00am
  • Tuesday4:00pm - 12:00am
  • Wednesday4:00pm - 12:00am
  • Thursday4:00pm - 1:00am
  • Friday4:00pm - 4:00am
  • Saturday1:00pm - 4:00am
  • Sunday1:00pm - 10:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near TwentyTwentyTwo

Until
ComedyManchester
Killer Comedy Club

Killer Comedy Club showcases “the UK’s best upcoming and coming comedians” for a night of roof-raising laughs, with pop-up nights all across the North West.

from £12
Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Until
ActivityManchester
Sí Manchester Daily Tour

Sí Manchester’s daily tour is a brilliant way to get an overview of the city with tours running in both English and Spanish.

free entry

Where to go near TwentyTwentyTwo

York Festival of Ideas
York
Tourist Attraction
York Festival of Ideas

York Festival of Ideas is a cultural festival in York, England, that aims to “educate, entertain and inspire”.

Manchester
Restaurant
Cottonopolis

Cottonopolis is one of the Northern Quarter’s standout venues, serving stunning food and beautiful cocktails in one of the city’s best-looking spaces.

Superstition Bar
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Superstition Bar

Independent underground bar in the heart of the Northern Quarter, serving a vast range of quality cocktails.

Port Street Beer House Father's Day
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Port Street Beer House

One of Manchester’s best choice locations for the beer aficionado. With an ever-changing choice of ales and staff who really know their stuff.

Image of signage outside PLY in Manchester's Northern Quarter
Manchester
Restaurant
PLY

Ply is a stylish pizza restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Manchester
Yoga Soul

Yoga Soul is a people-driven hub of good vibes, which you can find on Newton Street in the Northern Quarter.

Manchester
Restaurant
Alabama’s All American Eatery

A more San Francisco take on American food in Manchester – introducing Alabama’s All American Eatery. Alabama’s All American Eatery, despite having a name that firmly plants its stake in US territory, is actually at the more chilled-out end of Manchester’s ongoing homage to the Americana trend.

Foundation Coffee House Manchester
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Foundation Coffee House

An echoey, spacious coffee house in the northern quarter, filled with designer furniture, a meeting room on wheels and carefully-crafted brews.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.