A bold new vision for public art, landscape, heritage and communities across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

The Irwell Sculpture Trail was once one of the North West’s most ambitious public art initiatives. Beginning with early commissions in Rossendale in 1987, it grew into a remarkable 33-mile cultural route stretching from Bacup to Salford Quays, eventually bringing together more than 70 artworks by local, national and internationally renowned artists.

Developed through an ambitious partnership between local authorities and supported by significant National Lottery investment, the trail set out to transform the relationship between art, landscape and community. It brought contemporary sculpture into the everyday environment, connected towns and countryside, and created opportunities for people to encounter extraordinary art in unexpected places.

Over time, however, much of this legacy has been lost. Many of the artworks have fallen into disrepair, while the trail itself has lost much of its original momentum, visibility and ambition. What was once a pioneering cultural asset now needs renewed investment, imagination and purpose.

There is an opportunity to do something extraordinary.

Led by creative producer Mike Pony and Submerge, this emerging project aims to develop a bold new vision for the Irwell Sculpture Trail: not simply restoring what was there before, but reimagining it as one of the UK’s most exciting destinations for contemporary public art.

A new generation of public art

The ambition is to create a living, evolving cultural landscape, bringing together ambitious artists, communities and partners to transform how people experience the Irwell Valley.

At its heart would be a major programme of new artistic commissions, combining permanent and temporary sculpture, large-scale installations, immersive audiovisual experiences, sound, performance and unexpected interventions in public space.

Working with established and emerging artists, the programme would explore the extraordinary possibilities of making art beyond conventional cultural venues: in parks, woodland, riversides, industrial heritage sites, town centres and overlooked spaces.

Alongside new commissions, there is an opportunity to rediscover, conserve and reinterpret the trail’s existing collection, ensuring its most significant artworks have a future and that the history of the original project remains part of its identity.

Connecting people, places and possibilities

The Irwell Valley has an extraordinary story to tell. Its industrial heritage, changing landscapes, ecological significance and diverse communities provide rich inspiration for artists and creative practitioners.

A revitalised trail could connect these stories through new artistic experiences, community collaborations, participatory projects and opportunities for people to shape the cultural identity of their local environment.

There is also enormous potential to rethink how people discover and experience the trail, from accessible walking and cycling routes to digital interpretation, ambitious public events and partnerships with cultural, environmental and tourism organisations.

The vision is for a destination that attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond, while remaining rooted in the communities and places that make the Irwell Valley distinctive.

An ambitious partnership for change

Realising this vision will require a renewed partnership between local authorities, cultural organisations, environmental and heritage partners, landowners, businesses, artists, communities and funders.

The first step is to develop a comprehensive vision and strategic development plan: assessing the existing collection, identifying opportunities for new commissions, exploring potential sites and partnerships, and building a compelling case for significant investment.

The longer-term ambition is to establish a sustainable, multi-year programme of artistic activity and capital investment, supported by a strong partnership and a shared commitment to the future of the trail.

Help us revitalise the Sculpture Trail

The Irwell Sculpture Trail was born from an ambitious idea: that art could transform how people experience the places around them. That idea deserves a new chapter.

We want to bring together the people, organisations and resources to make that happen. We’re looking for ambitious partners, landowners, artists, local authorities and funders who share our belief in the transformative power of public art and want to help create something genuinely significant.

Let’s put the Irwell Sculpture Trail back on the map. Not just as a trail of sculptures, but as an extraordinary, evolving landscape for art, imagination and discovery – a cultural landmark for the North West and a legacy for generations to come.