The Annual Programme has been central to the development of visual arts practice in Manchester over the last five years. Responding initially to the poverty of the local situation at a time when British contemporary art was achieving unprecedented international acclaim, it has now presented over 30 solo and group exhibitions in a range of gallery and non-gallery sites.

Life is Good… covers these shows in detail with colour photographic documentation and critical texts that were commissioned to accompany them. It also provides an insight into the methodology used by The Annual Programme and looks at how its development has mirrored the increasing international profile of contemporary art from Manchester.