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.
This festival is significant as a grassroots initiative designed to empower young creatives and provide them with professional mentorship from established artists. By integrating public art commissions, such as the town-center murals, with educational partnerships like those with Hopwood Hall and PINC College, the event highlights the role of regional arts funding in fostering local talent and community identity. It demonstrates how localized 'Town of Culture' designations can successfully bridge the gap between student work and public art exhibitions.