New Arts Council England report features We Invent The Weekend Festival to advocate for public cultural investment

OutdoorArtsUK are delighted to see We Invented The Weekend being used as a case study for “Leading the Crowd” report. We Invented The Weekend is a free-to-access festival delivered by OAUK member Quays Culture, taking place at Media City in Salford.

The report acknowledges that continued public investment in We Invented The Weekend has enabled the festival to attract £250,000 worth of private investment. This has enabled the festival to deliver significant local impact:

• The festival attracted 60,000 visitors, Media City’s highest footfall in its 12-year history. 25% of these visitors came from outside Greater Manchester. 40% visited a restaurant or café, 27% visited a pub or bar, and 40% visited local shops.

• We Invented the Weekend delivered a total impact of £3.2m for the local economy.

• By using public investment as a foundation, the festival not only grew its financial backing but also strengthened its community impact and reputation, securing a bright future in the cultural calendar.

• The success of We Invented the Weekend illustrates how strategic public funding can unlock significant private investment, ensuring the sustainability of cultural initiatives.

“As a private sector supporter of We Invented the Weekend, Landsec is proud to have championed this bold, visionary project from day one – it’s a testament to our commitment to placemaking and creating lasting impact in the communities we serve. We saw first-hand how early public funding gave the festival crucial credibility, becoming a catalyst that attracted additional private sponsors to join us in bringing this idea to life. This event truly embodies the spirit of partnership – it has transformed Salford’s public spaces, energized the local community, and we’re confident its legacy will endure for years to come.”

Martyn Evans Hon FRIBA, Creative Director, Landsec