We are Community Arts North West, but you might know us better as CAN. We work with urban communities in Greater Manchester to create access to cultural opportunities where people can stand up, speak out, challenge social justice issues and inspire change.

Take a look at our current projects and upcoming events.

CAN and HOME are delighted to announce news of two artist commissions – one for a visual artist and one for a documentary filmmaker – which will feature in June 2025’s Horizons Festival

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A black and white sketch of a woman with hijab

Creative Industries Trafford and Community Arts North West (CAN) are supporting a group of diverse young people aged 13-20, including those who have experienced forced migration, to create a new piece of work featuring illustration, animation and music responding to a theme important to the group of young people.

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Three male artists and one female artists outside at an event.

Community Arts North West and HOME host a free Arts and Migration Group at HOME three times a year.

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Running between October 2024 and July 2025, Spotlight, in partnership with Band on the Wall, features a series of masterclasses and paid showcase opportunities for Greater Manchester-based musicians who have experienced forced migration, displacement, or the asylum process.

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Since 2005, the CAN Young Artists programme has worked with young people, both young migrants and young people from host communities in Manchester and Greater Manchester boroughs.

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We were delighted to receive a Gold Award in the category of Industry Excellence Partnership from our partner, The Manchester College, for the involvement of college students in our CAN Young Artists’ programme in the college’s July awards.

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CAN is supported by