Galleries & Museums
From the UK’s leading university museum, to contemporary art and end of year degree shows in purpose-built gallery spaces; Oxford Road Corridor provides a diverse programme for all cultural enthusiasts.
Both the Whitworth and Manchester Museum are part of the University of Manchester. With over six million items from across the world, spanning over four floors of displays and exhibitions in 15 galleries, the museum is an extraordinary space with a vast collection dating back as far as the early 1800’s. South of the museum and transformed by a £15 million development is the Whitworth, the first English gallery in a park, providing contemporary exhibition programmes that have gained global attention.
At the opposite end of the Oxford Road Corridor, presenting the most diverse, contemporary and challenging visual art in the region is HOME Manchester, who have specialisms in artist film, performance and participation.
The Holden Gallery is situated at the centre of Manchester School of Art, and housed in the original building which was built in 1880. They explore thematic ideas through the work of key established and mid-career artists with a programme that focuses exclusively on recent developments in international contemporary visual art.
On the fringe of the Corridor boundary is Castlefield Gallery. Established by artists in 1984, the arrival of the gallery in the city was to become an important catalyst for rapid cultural growth and an increased presence of visual artists in the city. Supporting artistic and career development for artists is a key driver for the gallery, as well as enabling audiences to fully connect with contemporary art.
Current and upcoming exhibitions
The transformation of the Pankhurst Centre exhibition space is incredible thanks to its new permanent exhibition, At Home with the Pankhurst Family.
Catch the final weeks of Manchester Museum’s re-opening exhibition, the Golden Mummies of Egypt which closes its doors in April. Don’t miss your last chance to see it!
A new exhibition exploring how Elizabeth Gaskell presented Manchester and its people through her novels and short stories, and the impact she had through her writing.
Material Power: Palestinian Embroideries explores the historical life and contemporary significance of Palestinian embroidered dress.
Manchester photographer David Gleave’s new exhibition at Central Library, Rescued Time, presents a decade of work that captures the present with a historian’s eye.
Naomi Harwin invites you to explore her collection of ‘middle moments’ in Manchester through cutouts and interactive, tactile installations.
New work from American-Belgian artist Cécile B. Evans addresses the impact of the rebellion of emotions encountering ideological, physical, and technical structures.
HOME’s Manchester Open returns in 2024. Greater Manchester’s largest open art exhibition will showcase the work of nearly 500 artists.
40 Years of the Future: Painting welcomes back five artists who exhibited as part of Castlefield Gallery’s 1984 inaugural programme.
Over 80 of Shirley Craven’s bold abstract textiles are displayed together for the first time in over 60 years alongside newly acquired works.
Show Me The World Mister is a solo exhibition by Ayo Akingbade comprising two new film commissions.
The spring begins with the first major retrospective exhibition of Caribbean British artist and poet John Lyons.
Join Manchester Museum for a celebration of Africa Day, Curated by Cultureville, where history, culture, and creativity converge.
Wild is an exhibition that explores our relationship with the natural world and unique approaches to environmental recovery.
An exhibition from artists Jeffrey Knopf, Theo Simpson and Hope Strickland – a sculptor, a photographer and artist-filmmaker.
Museums & Galleries