7 April 2025
Supporting local artists in Manchester
Here Come the Arches photography competition
As part of our HOME Arches project, we ran a competition for photography students. The project saw three disused railway arches transformed into a groundbreaking talent development hub for artists in the North West.
The Here Come the Arches competition documented the renovation project and gave photography students a real-world assignment. We were eager to encourage local artists to showcase the building work through their photographic lens. What’s more, the initiative would involve the community who may ultimately use the space.
The competition ran for the entirety of the project alongside the school year, starting in July 2023 and ending June 2024. The aim of the competition was to take photographs of the project at different stages, to show the progression of the build. We invited the students to key milestones, to capture elements such as the installation of glazing.
At the end of the competition, we held an exhibition of the photographs taken and announced the overall winners. There are so many amazing artists in Manchester, and this was their chance to show us their unique perspective on the project.
Celebration event
In May 2024, at HOME Arts Organisation, we held a showcase for the students to celebrate their dedication and commitment to the competition. Industry professionals from Robertson and HOME had voted for their favourite images, while the students were provided with refreshments before the winners were announced.
Winning photos and showcased submissions
Exhibition
From September to December 2024, the students' artwork was featured in the Inspire Gallery at HOME, marking the final showcase of the collaborative photography project between Robertson Construction North West, HOME, and Loreto College.
The exhibition displayed the work of six students: three winners had three pieces displayed, while the other three students each had one of their photos showcased.
