Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections

Found on the third floor of the Sir Kenneth Green Library, All Saints, the Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections provide members of the public an opportunity to study the university’s unique collections and visit the current exhibitions in the Special Collections Gallery. 

The Special Collections Museum holds more than 100 collections and archives, spanning from 19th-century children’s books to 20th-century posters from around the world and an international collection of over 4,000 decorated papers. 

Highlights of the archives include the Manchester School of Art Archive – an institutional archive of the Manchester School of Art from 1838 to 1970 – and the archive of Thomas Worthington and Sons, a Manchester-based architecture practice active in the 19th and 20th centuries. 

The collections reflect the history as well as the current interests and practices of the university’s contemporary Faculty of Art and Design. Alongside important examples of fine and decorative arts, visitors can uncover the history of the city and the university’s place within Manchester’s rich cultural fabric.

The museum also runs a varied programme of exhibitions and events, including tours around the material, from books, prints and textiles to 3D printing, ceramics and jewellery. 

Whether you’re looking for a niche collection, inspiration for an upcoming creative project, or simply an insight into a one-of-a-kind archive hub, the scope of the Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections means there’s always something new to discover. 

The reading room is also open to the public, providing an ideal space to settle down to some research or take a moment to reflect on what you have seen during the day. 

The Special Collections Museum provides a unique resource for students, staff, project partners and members of the public alike. Anyone with an interest in art, design, history, technology or culture is sure to find something to engage and inspire them.