Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Art Gallery is one of the country’s finest art museums. We welcome over half a million visitors each year to our home in the heart of the city, a blend of historic and contemporary architecture that echoes our innovative artistic programme. We mix works from our wonderful historic collections with the best international contemporary art to bring fresh perspectives to familiar images, create visual dialogues and encourage conversation and debate. 

Manchester Art Gallery houses many of the city’s most important fine and decorative art works, which have been Designated as being of national importance. Our collection covers over six centuries up to the present day, but we are especially renowned for our 19th century British paintings. Particular visitor favourites include our collection of major Pre-Raphaeliteworks and the impressionistic paintings of Adolphe Valette.

Visitors can also enjoy a diverse programme of changing exhibitions, ranging from historic to cutting edge contemporary art, photography, design, decorative art and family friendly exhibitions. 

The Gallery welcomes families and we offer a range of family-friendly facilities and a year-round events programme. To help visitors learn more about our collection or art in general, we also offer a wide range of tours, talks and workshops for adult learners, as well as programmes for schools and colleges and community groups.

Visitors can relax in our gallery cafe or browse in the shop for art related gifts and cards.

Manchester Art Gallery is available for venue hire, commercial filming, weddings and civil ceremonies and more. There are a variety of ways to get more involved with and support the gallery, from corporate membership to becoming a Manchester Art Gallery Friend.

Gallery of Costume, Platt Hall

The Gallery of Costume, based at Platt Hall in Rusholme, houses our Designated collections of clothing and fashion accessories, one of the largest collections in Britain. Following a major eighteen month refurbishment project it reopened in March 2010.

Manchester City Galleries

Manchester City Galleries forms part of Manchester City Council’s Cultural Directorate, which also includes Cultural Strategy and the Renaissance in the Regions North West programme.

Manchester City Galleries operates Manchester Art Gallery and the Gallery of Costume, Platt Hall