Manchester Libraries Wins Culture and Creativity Award!
Manchester Libraries have been announced as the winner of the Culture and Creativity category at the prestigious Libraries Connected Award 2025 for the Wythenshawe Forum Library Creative Space. The award was announced and presented at the Libraries Connected Seminar on 10th June. The award was collected by James Ryan on behalf of the nominees – James, Gail Mallett and Zoe Williams.
It is huge honour to win this award, as 100 other library services throughout the UK submitted entries. Libraries Connected said that Wythenshawe Forum Libraries Creative Space “is already a thriving, youth focussed venue bringing cultural and creative opportunities to people’s doorsteps”.
The transformation of the 1st floor of the library into a modern, vibrant and creative community hub has been underpinned by funding from the Arts Council England Libraries Improvement Fund. This funding allowed us to build a performance space, interactive workspace and a music and podcasting studio. Since opening we have developed a vibrant youth and community focussed venue which now boasts a weekly Rock School for young people, Wythenshawe Youth Theatre, and BLOCK Cinema. We now have local community groups including Happy Somedays and WFM recording podcasts in our studio.
Partnership working has epitomised our approach to community development with Brighter Sound who have created transformative experiences for young creatives, emerging artists and up-and-coming music professionals for nearly 25 years in Manchester. Since working together we have held an Under 18 live night( with video attached), as well as music production workshops and song writing workshops which will start in June.
The award was given to James, Gail and Zoe but this has only been possible because of all the hard work of all the staff at Forum Library, all the partner organisations and the rest of the staff at Manchester Libraries. We’re really proud that the Creative Space is a vibrant and welcoming community space and has been recognised nationally by this prestigious award. This award follows soon after Manchester Libraries award Library of the Year – https://manclibraries.blog/manchester-libraries-wins-library-of-the-year-award/
Watch these young musicians report on their own gig here:
Read more about the Libraries Connected Awards Winners here: Libraries Connected Awards 2025 winners revealed | Libraries Connected
