Join Threads of a City: Manchester Tapestry Project, , an ambitious citywide artwork, that celebrates Manchester’s people and stories through collaborative textile design. Gain hands-on experience in creative design, visual storytelling, and participatory art production, working alongside artists, designers, and curators to co-create panels that form part of a monumental tapestry opening the Manchester Town Hall 2027. Guided by Dr Lisa Gold, Lead for the Manchester Tapestry Project, and in partnership with Manchester Histories and RISE.

We are assembling a panel design team for the next phase of the project, with roles that will include:

• Design Support – assisting with concept development, sketching, and layout for individual tapestry panels.
• Textile & Surface Development – experimenting with colour, texture, and materials to translate stories into fabric form.
• Research & Story Gathering – exploring community narratives, local archives, and visual references that inform panel design.
• Documentation & Digital Design – capturing process photography, digital mock-ups, and visual presentation materials.

Background and Concept

The Threads of a City: Manchester Tapestry Project is a large-scale creative collaboration weaving together the stories, imagery, and identities of Manchester’s history and communities. Each tapestry panel represents a unique voice or collective theme — from migration and music to protest, creativity, and belonging.

Rooted in co-creation and design thinking, the project brings artists, students, and citizens together to transform local narratives into visual artworks. By merging traditional textile craft with design tools, the Manchester Tapestry Project reimagines how cities can represent themselves through collective creativity.

Through RISE, students are invited to join the Panel Design Team, gaining practical experience in art direction, textile design, and community-led storytelling. This behind-the-scenes placement offers insight into the conceptual, aesthetic, and technical stages of developing a major collaborative artwork — from research and design sketching to colour planning and composition.

Students will be guided by Lisa Gold, in partnership with Manchester Histories Learning and Engagement team, working closely to translate stories into visual form.

What You’ll Gain

• Creative Collaboration – work alongside professional artists and curators in the design of a high-profile public artwork.
• Hands-on Design Experience – contribute to concept sketches, digital compositions, and textile mock-ups for tapestry panels.
• Research & Story Integration – learn how visual art draws meaning from lived experience, community histories, and cultural identity.
• Portfolio-Ready Work – develop and document creative outcomes suitable for inclusion in professional or academic portfolios.
• Insight into Participatory Design Practice – understand how co-creation informs the making of large-scale cultural projects.

Hours for the Project/Internship

• Estimated 2-3 hours per week on-site during workshops
• Maximum total: 75 hours (up to 300 RISE points) for full accreditation.
• Students in design and documentation roles will collaborate closely with the lead and project team.
• Format: In-person TBC

Associated Badges: