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The 5 Best Art Galleries in Manchester

The 5 Best Art Galleries in Manchester

How We Picked 

Location – We considered if the site of the gallery is accessible.
Rates – Some art galleries offer their services for free, while others charge fees. 
Facilities – We checked the interior of each art gallery and assessed how these affect the guests’ overall experience.
Customer Service – Aside from the quality of the artwork, the staff’s treatment of the visitors will also impact the overall experience.
Manchester Art Gallery' Homepage

Services: Exhibitions and Events

Website: https://manchesterartgallery.org/

Address: Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley St, Manchester M2 3JL, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 235 8888

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Google Reviews Score 4.6/5
Facebook Reviews Score 4.2/5
Total Reviews4.4/5
Score Consistency 4/5
Location 5/5
Rates 5/5
Facilities 5/5
Customer Service4/5

Pros

  • Historical building
  • Promotes sustainability
  • Free entrance
  • Wide range of collection

Cons

  • Issues with their in-house café

If you are searching for an art gallery where the building feels like a historical artwork, you should seriously consider Manchester Art Gallery. They have been operational since 1883 and have only grown stronger through the years.

We also like that they are an environmentally-conscious establishment. In fact, they signed up with Culture Declares in 2019.

This means that together with the organization, they have declared a Climate Emergency. They are also committed to taking radical actions concerning their carbon footprint.

Another commendable thing about them is that they do not charge an entrance fee for their exhibitions. However, please note that there are instances where there will be a door charge for special collections.

As for their artwork, you will be amazed by their collection of over 46,000 pieces. These are from six centuries of fine art, craft and design, costume, and more.

One of the most famous works in the gallery is a painting called Scrolls I. It is an oil on canvas by the painter Cecil Stephenson, known as one of the pioneers of Modernism.

If you get hungry or thirsty while wandering around, you may make the most out of their café. Unfortunately, there have been reports where the servers here can be unattentive. 

2. The Whitworth

The Whitworth' Homepage

Services: Exhibitions and Events

Website: https://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/

Address: Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6ER, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 275 7450

Operating Hours: Thursday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Google Reviews Score 4.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score 4.3/5
Total Reviews4.4/5
Score Consistency 4/5
Location 5/5
Rates 5/5
Facilities 5/5
Customer Service4/5

Pros

  • Have artworks that depict social issues
  • Have classical artworks
  • Beautiful landscaping
  • Reliable café 
  • Free entrance

Cons

  • Long waiting lines during peak hours

If you are looking for art pieces that evoke the spirit of activism, you may consider The Whitworth. They are known for hosting exhibitions that tackle modern-day social issues like poverty, LGBT+ rights, climate change, and more.

Along with these, they also have classical pieces such as Genesis by Sir Jacob Epstein. This work of art in marble shows a woman in the late stages of pregnancy, which was then considered Britain’s most shocking sculpture.

They also have art pieces that will give you more insight into the rich history of Manchester. That’s why we believe that people who just moved into the area will gain a lot of information here.

Aside from the artwork, guests visit The Whitworth for its beautiful landscaping. This makes it perfect for those looking for a relaxing stroll in nature.

As for those who want to dine, we are happy to share that they have a reliable café within the vicinity. Here, they serve a wide variety of food and drinks.

On top of that, you can also enjoy your delicious meal while overlooking Whitworth Park. In your view, you will see various historical statues by local sculptors. 

You can enjoy all these for free as they will not charge you anything when you enter their door. But, unfortunately, there can be long queues outside, especially during peak hours. 

Castlefield Gallery' Homepage

Services: Events, Exhibitions, Associates

Website: https://www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk/

Address: 2 Hewitt St, Greater, Manchester M15 4GB, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 832 8034

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:30 PM–5:30 PM

Google Reviews Score 4.3/5
Facebook Reviews Score 4.5/5
Total Reviews4.4/5
Score Consistency 4/5
Location 5/5
Rates 5/5
Facilities 5/5
Customer Service4/5

Pros

  • Good rental services for emerging artists
  • Affordable services
  • Works with over 200 artists

Cons

  • Inconsistent operating hours

Castlefield Gallery is a popular destination for artists since they have beautiful interiors that can house their exhibitions. We believe they will be a good fit if you are looking for a venue for an art event.

On top of this, they have associates that will man the venue for the duration of your entire event. This means you will have less to worry about as you no longer need to bring your own staff.

They are also known for being friendly and accommodating, which will help bring people in. Furthermore, you can expect them to take the time to understand your craft so they can share it with your guests.

Another good thing about them is that they offer spaces for artists to showcase their work at a low cost. This makes them perfect for emerging creators who cannot afford high-end locations yet.

We are not surprised that they partner with over 200 artists, curators, and writers through these reliable services. 

Since their exhibits depend on who rents the venue, their rates are not fixed. This may vary depending on the decision of the organizer of the specific event.

However, there have been adverse reports about their operating hours. Unfortunately, there were instances where guests arrived on location, but the facilities were closed even if their website indicated otherwise.

Salford Museum and Art Gallery' Homepage

Services: Galleries, Events, Exhibits

Website: https://salfordmuseum.com/

Address: Crescent, Salford M5 4WU, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 778 0800

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM–4:00 PM

Google Reviews Score 4.5/5
Score Consistency 4/5
Location 5/5
Rates 5/5
Facilities 5/5
Customer Service4/5

Pros

  • Good for kids
  • Historical establishment
  • Wide range of art pieces
  • Free entrance fee

Cons

  • Expensive services within the gallery

The best thing about Salford Museum and Art Gallery is that they have a wide range of activities for all types of guests. In fact, they even have a filter on their website that can help you plan your trip.

Here, you can select the date, activity type, and attendees. Then, after providing the necessary information, their system will provide you with options for suitable recreation you can enjoy here. 

With this in mind, we recommend this to parents looking for fun activities for their children. Furthermore, since their interiors are airy and spacious, we believe young kids will be comfortable here while learning and playing. 

On top of this, there are also child-friendly facilities like baby-changing spots and breastfeeding areas. They also have a café where you can ask for warm milk bottles and high chairs.

Aside from this, the establishment is a historical figure as it was established in 1850. Over the years, their collection has only grown as they acquired art pieces from significant artists worldwide.

The most popular section of their museum is the Victorian Gallery. This is the home to hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and memorabilia from the Victorian era, that will make you feel as if you traveled in time. 

We also commend them since the entrance to the facilities is free. However, according to disappointed guests, everything else is expensive, such as parking, food, and other services. 

Gallery Oldham' Homepage

Services: Events, Exhibitions, Gallery Café, Gallery Shop

Website: https://galleryoldham.org.uk/

Address: 35 Greaves St, Oldham OL1 1AL, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 161 770 4653

Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday:10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Google Reviews Score 4.5/5
Facebook Reviews Score 4/5
Total Reviews4.25/5
Score Consistency 4/5
Location 5/5
Rates 5/5
Facilities 4/5
Customer Service5/5

Pros

  • Hosts exhibits and events
  • Features both local and international artists
  • Has a permanent exhibit

Cons

  • Has a smaller space compared to other galleries

Gallery Oldham is another great venue that hosts exhibitions for various artists. What we like most about them is that they have an organized calendar on their website where prospective guests can check all current and upcoming events.

Furthermore, Gallery Oldham is also known for featuring artworks made by both local and international artists. Because of this, we believe that this can be an excellent spot for enthusiasts who want to see new art regularly.

On top of that, they also have space that can hold events such as talks, tours, workshops, and other similar activities. Just keep in mind that their gallery space is relatively tiny compared to other galleries on this list.

Having said that, we are confident that Gallery Oldham is a great option for intimate occasions. However, we believe it would be better for you to hold your event elsewhere if you expect many attendees because of the limited space.

Aside from this, we like that the gallery also has permanent exhibits. 

The most popular attraction here is their interactive panorama, The Oldham Panorama, made by Liam David Spencer. 

Like most who appreciate this work, we think it’s notable because it represents the transformation at the original site of the Oldham Panorama photograph between 1876 and 2012.

FAQs about Art Galleries in Manchester

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