Übermorgen in Manchester: Exploring New Models for Cultural Institutions
Event, Documentary David Oates Event, Documentary David Oates

Übermorgen in Manchester: Exploring New Models for Cultural Institutions

I recently photographed a visit to Manchester by participants in Übermorgen – New Models for Cultural Institutions, a programme supported by the German Federal Cultural Foundation. The initiative brings together leaders from museums, galleries, theatres and cultural organisations across Germany to explore new approaches to public engagement, participation and institutional development.

Manchester was selected as one of the programme's destinations because of its reputation for cultural innovation and the ways in which the city has transformed its cultural infrastructure over the past two decades. Through visits, discussions and site-specific case studies, participants examined how cultural institutions can operate as active civic spaces while remaining connected to the communities they serve.

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Manchester School of Art Final Year Show Opening
Event, Documentary David Oates Event, Documentary David Oates

Manchester School of Art Final Year Show Opening

Manchester School of Art Degree Show 2026, titled More to Come, opened across Manchester Metropolitan University’s Oxford Road campus, presenting final-year work from students across art, design, architecture, fashion, performance and digital disciplines.

The Degree Show is a key annual exhibition within Manchester’s creative education calendar, transforming multiple university buildings into a public presentation of graduating student work. The 2026 exhibition continues this format, showcasing a wide range of practices developed within Manchester School of Art.

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Manchester Fashion Institute INTERFACES Showcase Photography
Documentary, Event David Oates Documentary, Event David Oates

Manchester Fashion Institute INTERFACES Showcase Photography

I photographed the Manchester Fashion Institute INTERFACES showcase at Manchester Metropolitan University on 19 May, documenting the runway presentations, exhibition spaces, and the atmosphere throughout the evening. The event brought together graduate fashion collections, digital work, and live presentations across Holden Gallery and the surrounding university spaces.

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Vinyl Against Apartheid: Event Photography in Manchester at The Carlton Club
Documentary, Event David Oates Documentary, Event David Oates

Vinyl Against Apartheid: Event Photography in Manchester at The Carlton Club

As a Manchester event photographer, you get used to a wide range of gigs—but every now and then something comes along that feels a bit more meaningful. Photographing Vinyl Against Apartheid’s Get Funked For Falastine was one of those nights. It wasn’t just about the music or the crowd—it was about what the event stood for.

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EarthSonic Live at Manchester Museum: Documentary Event Photography by David Oates
Documentary, Event David Oates Documentary, Event David Oates

EarthSonic Live at Manchester Museum: Documentary Event Photography by David Oates

EarthSonic Live at Manchester Museum was a full-day and evening programme of talks, workshops, performances and installations exploring the relationship between music, nature and climate. The event brought together artists, scientists, activists and audiences in a shared space, combining cultural programming with environmental themes.

The event was part of the wider EarthSonic project, which focuses on using sound and music as a way to engage people with biodiversity and climate issues.

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Manchester Conference Photography: Innovate to Elevate Awards and Showcase Event Coverage
Conference, Event, Documentary David Oates Conference, Event, Documentary David Oates

Manchester Conference Photography: Innovate to Elevate Awards and Showcase Event Coverage

I recently photographed the Innovate to Elevate Awards and Showcase, organised by the Centre for Digital Innovation and held in Manchester. The event brought together technology companies, researchers, and innovators working across fields such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, digital manufacturing, and sustainable technology.

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Delaine Le Bas: Un-Fair-Ground Exhibition Photography at The Whitworth
Artists, Event David Oates Artists, Event David Oates

Delaine Le Bas: Un-Fair-Ground Exhibition Photography at The Whitworth

At the opening of Un-Fair-Ground at The Whitworth in Manchester, artist Delaine Le Bas transformed the gallery into an immersive environment using layered textiles, painted slogans, and fairground imagery. The exhibition is designed to be experienced as a single, cohesive space rather than a series of separate works, inviting visitors to engage with themes of visibility, representation, and resistance.

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Photographing the Manchester Artist Teacher Collective
Documentary, Artists, Event, Schools, Conference David Oates Documentary, Artists, Event, Schools, Conference David Oates

Photographing the Manchester Artist Teacher Collective

Manchester Artist Teacher Collective (MATC) is a group of artist teachers from secondary schools and colleges across Manchester, and gallery educators from Manchester Art Gallery, the Whitworth and HOME. They foster collaboration between art educators, local artists, studios and gallery spaces. Through this collaboration, they seek to develop and share artistic and educational expertise, enabling teachers to engage with contemporary practices and sustained personal making. By centring on the artist teachers’ own creative development, the collective highlights the local cultural ecology and future opportunities within Manchester for the young people they teach. 

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Documenting an Art Fund Event Across Liverpool’s Museums and Galleries
Documentary, Conference, Artists, Event David Oates Documentary, Conference, Artists, Event David Oates

Documenting an Art Fund Event Across Liverpool’s Museums and Galleries

Art Fund is the UK’s national charity supporting museums and galleries. For over 120 years grants have helped them to acquire, commission and display great works of art, fund curatorial training and research, and reach new communities and audiences across the UK. Their Art Partners are a group of patrons who share our passion for museums and galleries, providing annual support that makes our work possible. I was asked to document a patron’s event in Liverpool that gave exclusive insights into their work and the museums they support.

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Documentary photography for Wild in Art - We Live Here Eccles
Artists, Documentary, Event, Editorial, Portraits David Oates Artists, Documentary, Event, Editorial, Portraits David Oates

Documentary photography for Wild in Art - We Live Here Eccles

In the summer of 2023, visitors to Eccles discovered a vibrant Wild in Art trail celebrating the unique character and heritage of Eccles, which took over windows, walls and spaces in the town centre. The public art installation featured street art, paintings, murals, photography and pop up studios – all created by local artists and Eccles residents.

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Photographing the Adidas Marketing Conference at Factory International, Mancheste
Documentary, Event, Commercial, Conference David Oates Documentary, Event, Commercial, Conference David Oates

Photographing the Adidas Marketing Conference at Factory International, Mancheste

I always look forward to photographing the Adidas Marketing conferences, and this year’s event at Factory International in Manchester was nothing short of spectacular. Working alongside Jules from TOL Events, who consistently delivers remarkable experiences, I was excited to capture every moment of this high-energy gathering.

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