Award-winning actor Julie Hesmondhalgh has joined Oldham Coliseum Theatre as guest curator, working alongside CEO Martina Murphy as the venue prepares to reopen at its Fairbottom Street home. Hesmondhalgh, who was Olivier Award-nominated this year for her role in James Graham's PUNCH, will help shape an opening season celebrating Oldham and championing northern voices. The theatre is currently being refurbished by Oldham Council as part of a broader plan to establish a cultural campus in the town centre. Hesmondhalgh played a key role in the campaign to save the Coliseum from permanent closure and will work with the Friends of the Coliseum to create theatre 'of and for the people of Oldham'.
Oldham's Coliseum Theatre has received £656,147 from Arts Council England to support its reopening after closing suddenly in 2023 when funding was withdrawn due to financial and building issues. The grant extends a £1.845m package pledged in 2023 and will fund new governance structures and cultural programming. Deputy leader Elaine Taylor said the funding is critical to Oldham's regeneration strategy, supporting creativity, jobs, and town centre vitality. The council plans to match the funding with £138,000 for the Coliseum and £127,000 for developing a new theatre model, bringing total investment to over £921,000 this year.
Oldham Parish Church will host Oldham Choral Society's Swing into Spring concert on Sunday, April 19 at 4pm. The programme includes Will Todd's Jazz Missa Brevis, which the choir recently studied during a Singing Workshop Day with musical director Dr David Cane and guest accompanist Roddy Barrand. Also featured are John Rutter's Mass of the Children and Antonin Dvořák's Te Deum. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £5 for students, and £1 for children under 12. They can be purchased from choir members, through the ticket secretary on 07768 167178, or via the website.
Gallery Oldham's 'Once Upon a Time' exhibition runs from 21 March to 5 September 2026, featuring work by five children's illustrators including Jarvis, Gillian Hibbs, Holly Sterling, Gillian Flint, and Sharon Davey. The exhibition showcases over 50 artworks from popular children's books like 'The Boy with Flowers in His Hair' and 'Errol's Garden', with reading corners and hands-on activities. A launch event with the illustrators takes place on 21 March at 2pm. Councillor Peter Dean praised the exhibition as a celebration of imagination that promotes reading for pleasure during the 2026 National Year of Reading campaign.
Gallery Oldham hosts multiple exhibitions including 'Women Portraits: Trades & Professions' celebrating women's labour, 'Indian Perspectives' featuring over 100 works exploring UK-India connections, and 'In Which Language Do We Dream?' examining a Syrian family's experience. Festival Oldham returns to Oldham Town Centre with the Summer Music Festival. The historic Oldham Coliseum Theatre building will reopen in 2026 after delays. Local artists are invited to submit work for The Oldham Open exhibition. Two major venues received £564,375 funding for modernisation. Sarah Lancashire, known for Coronation Street and Happy Valley, received New Year Honours for services to drama.
Gallery Oldham launches 'Women Portraits: Trades & Professions' by Charlotte Hodes on January 17, running until May 9. The free exhibition uses papercuts and ceramic vases to celebrate women's contributions to professions historically dominated by men. Inspired by Northern Roots urban farm, the show features imagined portraits identified by tools of trade rather than physical features. It references inspirational women including Dr Olive Clayden, Lydia Becker, and contemporary changemakers like beekeeper Damson Tregaskis.