The Working Arts Club (WAC), a London-based organization supporting art professionals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, is expanding to northern England. Its new chapter will launch in Manchester on March 24, with plans for regional programming and online events. Founder Meg Molloy emphasizes that class barriers in the art world are systemic, not confined to London.
The expansion responds to a documented need. A recent report on Greater Manchester found over half of respondents experienced class-based discrimination in the arts, citing obstacles like funding degrees, building volunteer experience, and accent bias. Kirsty Jukes, a communications officer at Manchester Art Gallery who will lead the northern chapter, shares her own experience of entering the art world without financial privilege. The club aims to build a supportive network through events, having already attracted nearly 1,200 members since its 2024 launch.