Yesterday, Factory International announced the list of artists who will have their work showcased this summer.
The event will welcome some of the biggest names in the art world including footballer Juan Mata and Grammy nominee, singer Janelle Monae. Monae will be headlining the programme of music in a three-day residency.
The event will take place across many venues in the city, including the brand-new, Factory International building.
Former Man United player Mata will co-curate a two-year visual art project called The Trequartista alongside artist Hans Ulrich Obrist. The aim of the project is to explore art within football, the beautiful game. This project will be launched at MIF23.
Speaking about the project, Mata said: “It is fantastic to be returning to Manchester, the city I called home for more than eight years. Bringing together two of my passions: the worlds of football and art.”
Some other works on show will be Yayoi Kusama’s inflatable sculptures, live photography from Afro-futurist artist Benji Reid and a musical adaptation of The Faggots and their Friends Between Revolutions by Phillip Venables and Ted Huffman.
There will also be a focus on Manchester communities through work and activities. There will be many opportunities for people to take part as well.
Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: “We take culture very seriously here in Manchester. The Festival is a real celebration of that.”
The Manchester International Festival is an event that has taken place every two years since 2007 and has featured some major names such as Idris Elba, David Lynch and Tracey Emin.
The event will take place from June 29 to July 16. Details of the activities taking place can be found here.