The article critiques the growing influence of wealthy tech entrepreneurs on public art commissions, arguing that their personal tastes and desire for monumental, often self-aggrandizing works are reshaping civic spaces. It highlights how this trend sidelines professional curatorial expertise and community input, replacing public dialogue with private patronage that prioritizes technological spectacle over artistic depth or social relevance.
Rochdale recently hosted the FAB Youth Arts Festival, a multi-disciplinary event marking the conclusion of the town’s tenure as the Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26. The festival featured a diverse array of visual arts, including the unveiling of a major new mural by artist Hayley Garner (Aylo) on the Regal Moon building, an outdoor exhibition at the Square Gallery by Hopwood Hall College students, and interdisciplinary showcases at Ebor Studio. The event attracted over 1,500 visitors and focused on the themes of freedom, art, and belonging.