Garden of Delights (2003 - 2005) A weekend 'pleasure garden for the 21st century', that took place around the lakeside of a Manchester park. Visitors were treated to a host of installations, colourful (tented) environments, sculptures, decorations and a continuous programme of outdoor theatre, puppets, dance, music, creative activities and strolling entertainment. This was MIA’s major area of development for 3 years, having intended to increase its scale and complexity so that it gained national importance, but, in spite of its huge popularity with the public, MIA found it impossible to raise enough money to enable the project to be expanded safely. Sadly 2005 was the last.
In 2004 and 2005, the Garden of Delights played host to Britain's premier international performing arts showcase x.trax, which attracted hundreds of professionals to Manchester to see the best street festival work available, alongside an eclectic indoor programme in theatres and spaces around the city. www.xtrax.org.uk
Photo: Space Cadets community project at the Garden of Delights 2005