The 12 best art galleries in Manchester

Like a huge glass and steel ship rising out of the once-derelict docks of Salford Quays, The Lowry opened in April 2000 as the Millennium Project for the Arts and has gone from strength to strength. The venue – named after the great English artist L.S. Lowry, who spent much of his life in Manchester and Salford – is home to the largest collection of paintings and drawings by its namesake. The gallery spaces present a rotating collection of his art alongside the work of other artists, from Maggi Hambling to Spencer Tunick.  

Smack bang in the middle of the city sits an oasis of calm in the grand shape of Manchester Art Gallery, housing a superb collection alongside temporary exhibitions. There’s always a stellar line-up of shows, but among the permanent stuff, the wonderful Pre-Raphaelite pieces and individual works by Waterhouse and Millais are of particular note. 

This small but perfectly formed gallery showcases the best of East and Southeast Asian visual art and culture in the Northern Quarter. esea contemporary, formerly the Chinese Centre for Contemporary Art, this centre, in addition to being home to a roster of boundary-pushing work, hosts experimental, hands-on workshops regularly plus a series of engaging after-hours talks. The best part? The centre is in the middle of the Northern Quarter, surrounded by brilliant bars and cafés you’d be remiss not to step into after your visit.

HOME merges two former cultural institutions, Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company, under one multi-million-pound roof. Visitors could happily get lost in here for days as the space is home – that’s right, HOME – to two theatres, five cinemas, and plenty of places to eat, drink, shop and hang out. Art-wise, it’s got a large and flexible gallery space that’s always free to enter and often hosts talks from the artists themselves.

While The Portico is primarily a library, and a stunning one at that, it also houses some great exhibitions and art-related events. The exhibitions include books or artefacts from the collection so there’s always a connection between the art on display and the tomes you can browse on the shelves.

‘Gathering of strangers’ reads the neon lights above the Whitworth Art Gallery, and it’s this ethereal, sublime atmosphere that carries throughout the venue. Following a major refurbishment in 2015 it extends through into Whitworth Park itself with floor-to-ceiling windows and a café that seemingly levitates among the trees. It is a perfect mix of old and new, taking the best of its Victorian origins with a modern section that beautifully reflects the variety of work on display inside.

Rogue Artists' Studios are heroes on the Manchester art scene, and the city was shocked when they were forced to move from their old city-centre premises following its purchasing by developers. Worry not: with the help of City Council and Arts Council England, the art fiends set up a new home within a former school building. During open studio events, guests get to see the artists at work. Also keep an eye out for an array of sales, where you’ll be able to get your hands on some affordable art.

Close to Salford University and in the grounds of Peel Park lies Salford Museum & Art Gallery, opened in 1850 as the very first ‘unconditionally free’ public library in the UK. Now you can wander its rooms and marvel at the fantastic collection of artworks, largely Victorian, on display. Current exhibitions tend to be rooted in the institution’s Salford surroundings, and they also have a super fun programme of workshops: think Life Drawing Late, a gothic burlesque special, or lino printing. 

Based in an old cotton spinning mill, this multi-purpose arts venue in Salford is an ever-evolving arts space and community hub with a DIY ethos. Over 100 artists and collectives are based at Islington Mill which occasionally hosts events spotlighting the city’s up-and-coming art talent. Look out, too, for club nights and interactive exhibitions. On it's site the organisation says it 'revel[s] in making as little distinction as possible between work and play, chaos and control, outcome and process.' 

Tucked down a side street and easily missed, Castlefield Gallery is devoted to the development of emerging talent within contemporary art. The gallery was threatened with closure for a while but relaunched in 2012 with a strong programme and renewed vigour, making it a vibrant hub for contemporary artists and gallery-goers seeking something unusual. There are regular events and some of the shows are commercial, so you could snap up a bargain if you’ve got an eye for talent.

Gallery Oldham is a combination of many things – it’s a gallery, museum and archive all in one. Photography, geology, decorative art and artefacts from all over the world are on display here, while kids can get involved with free workshops like lantern-making classes and craft sessions every first Saturday of the month. All of this makes Gallery Oldham one of the best family-friendly destinations outside the city centre.

How did a café end up on this list? Although your eyes are likely to be drawn away from the artwork by the tempting line-up of doughnuts and cakes, Siop Shop does host exhibitions by top folk in the Manchester art scene. The quirky interior makes this place well worth a visit.