If you fancy one of these grants for yourself, just post your idea online here, with a brief description detailing what you need the money for. Visitors to the site can then show their support through a five-star rating system and our crack panel of groundbreakers will set about sorting the wheat from the chaff before coming up with a shortlist of the most compelling, forward-thinking ideas from that quarter. The shortlisted applicants will then all get to present their ideas to the panel and the winner will go away with the spoils.
So who's on the panel then? We've assembled a formidable team of Manchester-based creators and thinkers, all with track records that speak for themselves. The panel consists of Mike Pickering, former Hacienda DJ, head of the soon-to-be-relaunched Deconstruction records and all-round Manchester institution; Kevin Cummins, celebrated photographer, noted for his stellar portraits of David Bowie, The Smiths, Joy Division and the like; Dave Rofe, also a former record-slinger at the Hac and now manager of Doves and Cherry Ghost, not to mention chairperson of the Manchester District Music Archive; Mark Farrow, graphic design godhead and creator of some of the most iconic and eye-catching record sleeves of our time, most notably his unique work for Spiritualized and Pet Shop Boys; David Pullan, Chief Marketing Officer for Manchester City and member of the club's 'executive leadership team'; and Trevor Cairns, Chief Marketing Officer for Umbro and the brains behind the recent Live From City launch for City's new tailored kit.
Now you know who you have to impress. They'll also be joined each quarter by a guest panellist to help them decide. There's no limit to the amount you can lay claim to within the £10k budget. You just have to live, study or work in the Greater Manchester area and show passion and commitment to what you do.
We're looking for people who do what they do for the love of it. We want to foster and nurture new talent. If there's a nugget of a good idea in what you propose then we'll back it.
This is your chance to let someone else put their money where your mouth is. If you think your idea’s good enough, post it, and then, if you get the chance, blow our panel away. Simple as that.
UmbroIndustries.com is a long-term commitment to creativity and innovation in Manchester and if your idea is fresh, your drive and devotion to create are infectious and enough people get what you’re about then we’ll get behind it.