Manchester City of Literature and library partners are seeking an external consultant to undertake a strategic review of the Greater Manchester Festival of Libraries and to develop recommendations for its future direction from 2028 onwards.

The consultant will:

• Review the current Festival of Libraries model, including artistic programming, governance, partnerships and delivery structures; 
• Assess the strengths, challenges and opportunities for the Festival from 2028 onwards; 
• Consider the Festival’s role within the wider cultural, library and civic landscape across Greater Manchester; 
• Identify opportunities to strengthen artistic ambition, audience engagement, partnership working and long-term sustainability. 

The consultancy should result in clear, practical and evidence-based recommendations for the future strategic direction of the Festival.

Timeline

• Invitation to submit expressions of interest opens: 8 June 2026 
• Deadline for expressions of interest: midday on 21 July 2026 
• Online Interviews: 30 July 2026 tbc
• Consultant appointed: 4 August 2026 
• Consultation and research period: August – September 2026 
• Draft report submitted: by 30 September 2026 
• Final report submitted: by 20 October 2026

Fee

There is a fee of £6,500 (inc VAT) for this work between commissioning and final report. This should cover all costs of the evaluation delivery and report writing including any travel expenses if in-person workshops are proposed. 

Further details are in the full brief which can be downloaded using the link below.

The Festival of Libraries 2026  is funded by National Lottery Players via Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants.