Manchester is set to take centre stage ahead of the BRIT Awards 2026 as a major new citywide art trail transforms the Northern Quarter and Ancoats into a vibrant open-air gallery celebrating the region’s creative talent.
Curated by renowned Manchester artist Stanley Chow and produced by local creative producers Wild in Art, this citywide art trail will bring Manchester’s streets to life across the Northern Quarter and Ancoats from Thursday 12th February to Monday 16th March 2026.
Featuring work from 21 North-West artists, the trail will unfold across striking wall murals, immersive window installations, and bold billboard takeovers, transforming everyday city spaces into an open-air gallery.
Celebrating Manchester’s vibrant creative community, the trail invites audiences to explore the city through art in the build-up to the BRIT Awards, placing local talent front and centre across some of its most well-known areas.
Featuring 21 artists including Stanley Chow, Kim Thompson, The Hammo, Jay Sharples, Oskar with a K, Clare Birtwistle, Caroline Dowsett, Pete Obsolete, Qubek, Jonathan Edwards, Rick Hyde, Florence Burns, David Bailey, Daren Newman, himHallows, Jessica Lee, Luke Insect, Charlie Cross, Barney Ibbotson, Dotto and Bed Studio.
Stanley Chow said: “I’m immensely proud to be asked to curate the Art Trail around The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard in Manchester, especially as a proud Manc. It also gives me great pleasure to showcase some of the great artistic talents we have in the North-West too.”
Visit manchestermap.brits.co.uk/discover to find more information on the full programme of cultural activity happening across Manchester in the lead up to the UK’s biggest night in music.
