Chinese Arts Centre

Coordinates: 53°29′5″N 2°14′15″W / 53.48472°N 2.23750°W / 53.48472; -2.23750

The Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art is a UK agency for Chinese art based in Manchester, England.

Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art was established in 1986 by a group of British Chinese artists based in Manchester. The artists were frustrated that their work was not being seen in mainstream venues, and was not included in the Black Arts Movement of the time. Based in Chinatown, the Centre was financially supported by Manchester City Council and Arts Council England. Comprising a gallery, education room and tea house, it provided a space to show the work of British Chinese artists and the local Chinese community.

The Hong Kong handover in 1997 was an important time in the development of Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art. There was much focus on Chinese culture in the British media and many arts organisations programmed Chinese related events. This dramatic increase in mainstream recognition of all things Chinese encouraged the centre to change direction and, rather than just exhibiting work, proactively support the careers of artists of Chinese descent. In addition, 1997 marked the year that the organisation extended its remit to become a national charity and started to work internationally, rather than just with British Chinese artists.

In 1999 Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art produced Representing the People - its first major touring exhibition. Touring to four key national venues and seen by 250,000 people, Representing the People was the first independent exhibition to show artists from Mainland China in the UK.