Oldham Council
Making a positive difference to people’s lives by connecting them to high-quality creative experiences
Their mission is to make a positive difference to people’s lives by connecting them to high-quality creative experiences. Oldham Council aims to deliver a diverse range of participatory, co-produced, fun, creative and cultural experiences; reflecting the heritage and identity of our local area.
They want to make Oldham’s outdoor and indoor spaces and cultural facilities, events and exhibitions, gigs and performance opportunities more easily available to Oldham’s diverse, creative communities and visiting artists, businesses and organisations.
Why we joined Without Walls
Oldham Council joined the Without Walls TNP so that we can access exciting and diverse new outdoor work that we might not previously have been able to programme. It enables our programming team to network with festival teams from across the UK, share our experiences, share knowledge and benefit from the networks wider CPD opportunities.
Impact on Local Communities
Oldham Council’s aims and objectives are to enable all people living and working in Oldham to have the opportunity to experience and participate in creative and Cultural celebrations while supporting the ongoing economic regeneration of the Town Centre and its cultural organisations while supporting the visitor economy.
They want the culture in Oldham to be more visible, accessible, inclusive, innovative and exciting. The aim is for the distinctive heritage and dynamic cultural offer to bring diverse residents, audiences and visitors from all backgrounds together in Oldham – entertaining, inspiring and enabling them to lead more creative, equitable, healthy, happy and prosperous lives.
Oldham Council want to celebrate this unique and proud borough of Greater Manchester: a place where artists, cultural organisations, businesses, and communities are able to work closely together and are supported to develop and thrive.
The Oldham Council team
Rachel Wood is the Artistic Director and Event Manager (Oldham Council Arts Development), responsible for the Arts & Events programme.
Rachel has worked in the arts sector for over 20 years. She represents Oldham Council within the Without Walls TNP and as a board member.
Events at Oldham Council
Oldham Council’s Creativity and Culture Events programme welcomes over 60,000 people annually across six key outdoor events in the Town Centre and Cultural Quarter.
We programme Without Walls performances at Illuminate (February) a late-night arts festival and light night and Festival Oldham (June) our annual Outdoor Arts Festival currently in its 25th year.
Audiences at Oldham Council's events
The Arts & Events programme has had great feedback from its audience members:
“It was a fabulous event! First time we had been. We had a 4, 7, 8 year old with us and they all loved the whole event. Well done to all involved.”
“What an incredible night! Thank you to everyone who made this evening possible.”
“We had a fantastic night yet again. Seriously don’t know how Oldham are going to top it next year.”
“Fantastic event! Every year gets bigger and better. Great to see all the community come together and be proud. Well done Oldham. Lots of smiles from everyone…”
