Queer Up North 1992-2002 Project Launch
Queer Up North 1992-2002: Celebrating Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Heritage has been awarded £248,500 in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional support from The Granada Foundation.
Manchester Histories is thrilled to announce that Queer Up North 1992-2002: Celebrating
Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Heritage has been awarded £248,500 in funding from The National Lottery
Heritage Fund, with additional support from The Granada Foundation. This funding marks a significant milestone to preserve and celebrate the rich LGBTQ+ heritage of Manchester, England – focusing on the Queer Up North (QUN) festivals held between 1992 and 2002.
Queer Up North Festival was one of the most pioneering and influential LGBTQ+ arts festivals in the
UK and Europe. Established in 1992 by Tanja Farman and Gavin Barlow as part of the Manchester
Festival, QUN quickly became a beacon for queer culture, drawing artists and audiences from across
the globe. Over its first decade, the festival showcased groundbreaking performances and played a
pivotal role in shaping Manchester’s identity as an inclusive and vibrant LGBTQ+ city.
The project will start in October 2024 and run through to late 2026; highlights include:
● Curate and Digitise a QUN Archive: A comprehensive digital archive that preserves the
festival’s legacy will be created from printed information currently in existence. This will make
the archive accessible to researchers, educators, activists, and the wider community for FREE.
● Oral Histories Collection: In-depth stories will be recorded from artists, audiences, and
community members who were integral to QUN’s success and will provide a personal and
profound insight into the LGBTQ+ experiences of the time. More details about this process will
emerge in future media releases and online.
● Public Engagement and Events: A series of events, talks, and creative outputs will take place in
Manchester and online to celebrate the QUN festivals (1992-2002), generating greater
awareness and celebration of LGBTQ+ heritage.
● Launch a Digital Archive Platform: A new website will be the project’s living legacy, featuring
images, video, audio, and interactive elements that bring the archive to life for a broad
audience.
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are extremely proud to support Manchester Histories with this project celebrating the LGBTQ+ heritage of Manchester and the Queer Up North festivals. This grant, made possible by National Lottery players, ensures that the voices and memories of the community can be heard for generations to come.”
Karen Shannon, Chief Executive of Manchester Histories, stated, “We are incredibly proud to receive this award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will enable us to honour and preserve the legacy of the Queer Up North Festival. This project is not just about looking back but also about inspiring future generations by making these stories accessible to all.”
Tanja Farman and Gavin Barlow, co-founders of QUN, added, “Queer Up North was a ground breaking festival that changed the cultural landscape of Manchester and beyond. We are excited and proud to see its history preserved and celebrated, ensuring that the contributions of LGBTQ+ artists and communities are remembered and continue to inspire.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to National Lottery players. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Granada Foundation. Without their support, this project would not be possible. Their contributions are vital in helping us protect and celebrate the heritage that matters to our communities.
The media release, logos and images are available online here:
https://bit.ly/QueerUpNorth_MancHistories
