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.
Golden Mummies of Egypt is Manchester Museum’s re-opening exhibition. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience opens in February 2023.
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.
Traces of Displacement uses the Whitworth’s collection to address one of the major humanitarian concerns – forced displacement.
Albrecht Dürer’s Material World is the first major exhibition of the Whitworth’s outstanding Dürer collection in over half a century.
Marketing the Manchester Ship Canal showcases original publicity material and print adverts created as marketing for the Port of Manchester.
Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid presents new commissions and work from artists Magda Stawarska, Rebecca Chesney and Tracy Hill.
Exhibiting work spanning 20 years, Robert Watson, one of the country’s leading documentary and contemporary photographic artists, returns to Central Library.
The first major UK solo exhibition by Omid Asad features new large-scale sculptural work exploring loss, memory and belonging.
John Cake presents a brand-new solo exhibition bringing together painting, prints and installation.
MODAL’s latest exhibition explores the ways in which physical and digital life are no longer separate – rather, they are seamlessly bound together.
Material Power: Palestinian Embroideries explores the historical life and contemporary significance of Palestinian embroidered dress.
Sara Riccardi discusses food in art, from traditional Dutch still lives to contemporary candy floss installations.
HOME’s award-winning Manchester Open exhibition is back, featuring over 400 artworks, the biennial open exhibition is dedicated to celebrating the creative talents of Greater Manchester residents.
Museums & Galleries
