Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition

After Shanghai, Chicago, Phoenix, Berlin and Vienna, the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition came to Manchester!

Using the Sistine Chapel ceiling measuring roughly 8611 square feet as a canvas, Michelangelo Buonarotti showcased his potential as a painter for everyone to see. His heavily populated compositions recount events from the Old and New Testaments from the story of Creation to the Last Judgment. It is arguably one of the most famous works of art in the world.

It might surprise you to find out Michelangelo accepted this job only reluctantly. He saw himself more as a sculptor than as a painter and had come to Rome in 1505 to design a large tomb for Pope Julius II. Therefore, he was rather nonplussed when he received the order to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel one year later. Julius II originally wanted the twelve apostles to be the theme of the ceiling frescoes. However, Michelangelo considered this suggestion as rather poor, and he created the complex fresco cycle that this exhibition focuses upon.

After only 4.5 years, the Sistine Chapel was opened with a festive ceremony on All Saints’ Day, 1512. In 1536 Michelangelo was commissioned by Paul III who wanted a new design of the wall behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel. The Last Judgment was completed five years later.

We stepped into Michelangelo’s shoes and gained a new perspective on these famous works of art.

More photos can be seen here.

Building a better Manchester Pride through community collaboration and co-design

Manchester Pride are pleased to share details on the charity’s future direction and Manchester Pride celebrations following the Pride In Our Future community consultation.

The six-month review was conducted after some LGBTQ+ communities indicated the focus of their grant-giving no longer reflected some of the key causes that mattered most to them.

The findings from the consultation addressed key areas surrounding its role in grant making for local groups and causes, as well as the format and delivery of the annual Manchester Pride celebration in August.

Paul Wheeler, Chair of Manchester Pride’s board of Trustees, said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to the thousands of individuals who had their say on the future direction of the charity.

Manchester Pride should be something everyone feels proud of and can see a little bit of themselves reflected back in.

We acknowledge we got some things wrong last year and we’re sorry for the upset and frustration this caused. It is important that Manchester Pride reflects what Manchester’s LGBTQ+ communities tell us they want and this review has shown how we can do better.”

The stand-out themes which will be taken forward include:

• Manchester Pride will create more opportunities to consult with communities in order to co-design future Pride events
• Connecting Manchester Pride Charity’s grant-giving work with input from communities
• Ensuring all Manchester Pride events are accessible to all members of our communities we will:
  • Clarify and publish the commitment to low income tickets by the end of March.
  • Introduce quiet spaces at Pride events from this year.
  • Work towards an aspirational level of accessibility accreditation and offer to partner with LGBTQ+ business in the Gay Village to help them be part of this
• Manchester Pride’s August celebrations will continue, the Charity will refocus its efforts back onto its activist roots
• As a result, Pride celebrations will be focused around the Gay Village Party and MCR Pride Live will not go ahead in 2022 – it was identified as less important by the communities in furthering their aims
• The Parade, The Candlelit Vigil, the Gay Village Party, Superbia Weekend, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride MCR and Human Rights Forum will proceed – identified by the community as vital elements of Manchester Pride
• A fixed amount or percentage of each ticket purchased to Pride events, directly to the community fund.

The Board of Trustees will be more visible and connected with communities, and commit to ensuring greater transparency on the charities actions.