Cornerhouse

Above the café of this tall flat iron of a building there are three floors of galleries presenting some of the most challenging contemporary visual art in the city. The venue also houses three cinemas.

Its visual arts programme encourages work from artists who have yet to receive major recognition in the UK. At the same time, the galleries present work from mid-career artists, giving them the chance to realise particular projects. Consequently, artists as diverse as Maggi Hambling, Mark Wallinger and David Shrigley have all had major shows here. The work covers all media and Cornerhouse has long been been a champion of digital work.

The top floor gallery space is the most impressive, its high ceiling allowing visitors breathing space following two floors of work which sometimes feels made to fit the space available. When Cornerhouse moves in 2015 to new premises as HOME, the new galleries there will offer greater scope for some exciting new contemporary work in Manchester.

Cornerhouse was the very first gallery to commission work by Damien Hirst. Whether you think that's a good thing or not is up to you but you can't criticise Cornerhouse for presenting work which is unprovocative.