The Bridgewater Hall Community Education Trust exists to maximise the educational potential of Manchester's world class concert venues through a wide range of projects, programmes and activities which take the building, and its rich artistic life, as their stimulus. The initiatives supported by the Trust give opportunities to school and college students, community groups and individuals of all ages and abilities, as well as arts organisations and educational institutions from Greater Manchester and across the Northwest.

The Trust's work is designed in line with the following principles:

Responsiveness – projects are devised to answer a real need and designed in consultation with the people taking part.

Adventure – innovative projects and schemes are designed and led by respected national and local artists, musicians and crafts-people. Projects are devised for groups and individuals who otherwise have little access to creative work.

Creativity – artists and participants are encouraged to develop themselves and their creativity to produce entertaining work of high quality. The Trust encourages imaginative cross-arts work.

Development – the Trust tries to foster continuing partnership and work which enables its participants to develop their skills over the longer term.

Collaboration – whenever appropriate, the Trust will collaborate with other local or national agencies and professional artists.