Manchester Art Gallery

25/07/2024

Due to filming, gallery 14 will be closed to the public today.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.

20/07/2024

Unleash your family’s creativity this summer! 🎨✏️🧑‍🎨
Our free family activity programme is jam-packed with exciting workshops, hands-on activities, and immersive experiences designed to spark your family’s imagination and love for art.

🦁 Creative Families
During August we’ll be turning The Lion’s Den into an artist’s studio for families to get creative in!
Explore exciting art materials, test out different making techniques and chat to our team of artists,
who will be on hand to help you realise your ideas.
Add your creations to the growing display of amazing artwork on the gallery walls.
August – 2,3,7,9,11,14,16,17,19,21,23,25,28,30
1-3.30pm, drop in, no need to book.

🏛️ You can also make your own mini art gallery on our Manchester Histories Festival drawing trail. Follow the fun prompts and go on an adventure around the gallery.

▶️ On Wednesday 7 August we are joining in with National Play Day celebrations
Supporting Play, Fun and Friendships.

👶 Baby Social
Come and explore exciting materials selected to stimulate your baby’s senses, meet new parents and relax in this sensory session.
7 & 21 August, 1-2pm in the studio

🧑‍🎨 Open Doors
Creative session especially designed for autistic children and their families. Each month our artists and volunteers will explore different artworks and ideas.
3 August, 10am-12pm
Book on Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3Y6PnAf

🐸 Wild Wander - Family Art Trail
Ongoing
A fierce and fun themed walk around Manchester Art Gallery. Our artworks are full of creeping creatures and playful pets. Can you spot them all as you wander around the gallery?
Download the free Bloomberg Connects app and explore any time.

18/07/2024

From the 100 interviews, we found that work was an important aspect of women’s identities, and that older women valued using their skills and experience in the workplace. Work was also perceived as important for financial independence.
A number of women were working within the ‘gig’ economy on zero-hour contracts, and many were in roles where there was limited flexibility and agency. Even within organisations where there were strong policies there was still the need for greater recognition of the importance of women’s health and wellbeing across the life-course. Women wanted workplaces where they were treated equally and respected.

Some of the 100 women identified key individual interventions by an employer or a manager which were pivotal in overcoming inequality and seizing opportunities. Key issues relevant here are (i) supporting and encouraging women within the workplace, for example having strong menopause policies or women’s health policies, and also recognising talent and progression opportunities. (ii) for other women it was about providing real and meaningful flexible work opportunities, including flexibility around medical appointments for themselves or those that they were caring for.

🗣 Victoria, 63 described her current role, that she got after a challenging period searching for permanent work “It was such a relief to be acknowledged and have someone appreciating you … And the manager really wanted to work with me and they told me that… Yes, for me it has been a revelation”.

Text: written by Dr Sarah Campbell – Uncertain Futures Researcher, MMU


Supported by Manchester City Council Arts Council England Manchester Metropolitan University The University of Manchester, , The National Lottery Community Fund Awards for All &

17/07/2024

Towards a Trauma Informed Museum - hosted by GEM - Group for Education in Museums

Supported by The Baring Foundation, Manchester Art Gallery has been exploring how the development of trauma-informed practice can benefit visitors across a variety of ages and backgrounds.

Can museums and galleries respond to the growing mental health crisis and provide a positive environment for all our visitors, whilst exploring sometimes challenging themes and subject matter?
This session will be an opportunity to see what we're doing, explore the different ways an arts organisation implements trauma-informed practice and to share your own ideas of how this practice can move forward.

📅 Thursday 26 September, 11-4pm
🎟️ Tickets via GEM - Group for Education in Museums 👉 https://bit.ly/3WrJegw

📷 Marge Bradshaw Photography

15/07/2024

A gentle reminder that art is good for you 🥰

Visit us Tuesday - Sunday 10-5pm

Be inspired by the collection, get creative in a workshop, join a conversation, learn something new.
See What’s On 👉https://bit.ly/47hHGbf

12/07/2024

🎉 Amazing news for the weekend! We did it! Thanks to YOU, Florence Claxton’s “Women’s Work: A Medley” is coming to Manchester 🖼️

🙏 A huge THANK YOU to our incredible supporters - Art Fund and Arts Council England V&A Purchase Grant Fund and to all the individual donors. Your generosity has made this possible!
This important work of art will now become a permanent part of Manchester’s collection, inspiring generations to come.
🌟 The fundraiser is officially closed, but the journey of this remarkable painting is just beginning. Stay tuned for updates on its arrival and display!
Once again, from all of us at Manchester Art Gallery, THANK YOU! 💖

Art Fund Arts Council England

12/07/2024

“And you may think, well, in this day and age 2023, things are different. And when you read the accounts, you realise that actually it isn’t different for everybody. And that people have had quite appalling experiences that are unacceptable. And as a society, we shouldn’t tolerate this level of unfairness and inequality and discrimination”. Atiha Chaudry, Advisory Group Member

From the 100 interviews, we found that later life is fraught with insecurity and uncertainty which is compounded by inequalities based on gender, ethnicity, race, disability, migration status and socio-economic background.

This is particularly prominent in accessing work where many older women reported experiencing ageism, gender stereotyping and racism. These forms of discrimination prevented them from getting good work which was fulfilling, reflected their experience and provided good working conditions. As a result of this, many women end up working in low paid, zero-hour contracts with limited flexibility and poor prospects.

We endorse the international and regional efforts to tackle discrimination affecting older women such as the development of an International Convention on the Rights of Older Persons, and the AGE Human Rights Manifesto. We also support the implementation at a national level of the National Race Equality Strategy and the National Ageing Strategy, as well as the campaign to abolish the ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ policy that disproportionally impacts migrant women.

Text: written by Dr Elaine Dewhurst – Uncertain Futures Researcher, University of Manchester


Supported by Manchester City Council Arts Council England Manchester Metropolitan University The University of Manchester The University of Southern California, Awards for All Community Fund & Evan Cornish Foundation

10/07/2024

These wonderful artworks have been created by 16-18 year old young people that have recently arrived in the city 🌍 as part of a partnership programme with Manchester Adult Education Service and Manchester City Council's Virtual School. Working with artist Lubna Tahir from Art Tree Uk the group used our Trading Station Tea Room as a base to explore the gallery, learn English and make art 🎨

They spent time in Taking Stock, our ‘open store’ where over 6600 objects, including paintings, works on paper, ceramics, glass and sculpture, are being reviewed, evaluated, and reimagined. The group had a good look around, spending time discussing what Manchester Art Gallery has in the collection and why and how best to use it in the future.

🗣️ 'Coming to the gallery has helped me feel more sociable in Manchester as I am very new to the city. I have learnt new vocabulary and felt relaxed making art. I felt lucky seeing the store exhibition and think it's important to understand history'.

The Tea Room is used regularly to host creative programmes with communities throughout Manchester.

City of Sanctuary Manchester City of Sanctuary

08/07/2024

🎥 MAG Film Club X Cinebur - Debut Screening Alert!
Join us for a unique cinematic experience at Manchester Art Gallery

🍿 Film: "Bait" by Mark Jenkins, 2019

Bait tells the story of Cornish fisherman Martin (Edward Rowe) as he tries to resist the gentrification of his local village. When a new summer holiday season begins, the increasing number of tourists and wealthy Airbnb owners continues to create a rift in the community, driving everyone towards breaking point.
Shot in scratchy, black and white film with over-dubbed sound, Bait is a disorientating and sensory experience that will have you grimacing in discomfort at the class differences on display.

📅 Sunday 21 July 2024, 2pm
🎟️ £7.50, grab your tickets on the Cinebur app

Don't miss this chance to be part of MAG Film Club's first-ever screening!

03/07/2024

👶 Manchester's Baby Week is happening next week...8-13 July at venues all across the city!

📅 Monday 8 July
Central Library and the Friends Meeting House are hosting the launch event 10-3pm.
Artists from Manchester Art Gallery will be there running Baby Social and Messy Play activities, along with lots of other organisations delivering baby-friendly fun!

📅 Wednesday 10 July
Creative play session in the Lion's Den, 10.30am-12.30pm
This session is linked to our exciting Things of the Least project, which explores experimental exhibition making for 0-3s.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Central Library, Science and Industry Museum and National Football Museum are also offering amazing sessions throughout the week.
✨ Check out the City Centre Baby Week programme for more info 👉 manchester.gov.uk/baby-week

📷 Andrew Brooks Photography

Manchester City Council

02/07/2024

Since late 2023, Manchester Art Gallery has embarked on an unprecedented initiative: Taking Stock of its extensive collection. Over the next year, gallery 17 will be transformed into an ‘open store’ where over 6600 objects, including paintings, works on paper, ceramics, glass and sculpture, will be reviewed, evaluated, and reimagined.

Join us for a unique opportunity as we delve into the significance of these objects, exploring their acquisition stories and considering who and what may be missing or underrepresented.

Witness the process firsthand through our viewing platform at the gallery 17 entrance or book your place on a guided tour led by our knowledgeable staff.

*Due to this being a storage space, numbers on tours are limited to 12 people. Booking is essential.

🎨Come, discover and engage with us.
https://manchesterartgallery.org/taking-stock/

Arts Council England The National Lottery Heritage Fund Manchester City Council

30/06/2024

Faisal Hussain critically examines urban counter-terrorism measures. He exposes and challenges prevailing assumptions about what, if anything, can make us feel more secure in an age of terrorist threats. Hussain has repurposed a plastic road barrier, usually employed to contain or exclude people. Illuminated from within, the text ‘it may be nothing but could be something’ initially sounds poetic. It comes, however, from academic research on the PREVENT de-radicalisation process and invites us to fear and suspect people. Written in a typeface resembling Arabic script, Hussain challenges stereotypes and cultural assumptions.

This work speaks about the reordering of cities for ‘protection’, repositioning and reconceptualising the purpose and function of barriers. The text evokes emotive responses and questions the terininology and often racialised nature of the legislation.

Hussain asks “How are we to respond to this ‘substantial’ threat? Often the solution offered is more surveillance, more concrete bollards... more counter-terrorism measures... and community engagement that seeks to ‘prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. However, research has shown that security features designed to make people feel secure, can have a paradoxical effect: rather than making people feel safer, they may arouse feelings of fear and terror.”

🪧Faisal Hussain, It may be nothing, but it could be something, 2022
On display in Out of the Crate, gallery 12.

The Manchester Contemporary

29/06/2024

We're taking our Uncertain Futures documentary out into the community to share the findings of the research and hold a space for discussing what needs to change for women, work and ageing. We recently spent time with over 200 women in Ardwick, Longsight, Cheetham Hill, Harpurhey and Wythenshawe with communities linked to the Uncertain Futures Advisory Group.

'It's empowering to see women brought together and having a voice. This is a great celebration of women, it’s fantastic that it has included such a cross section of women. But I felt sad at some of the realities of women, particularly at how intersectional some of the inequalities are. It picked up on all the inequalities that are all around us.'

You can see the documentary along with the Her Uncertain Futures film in Stories of Women, Work and Uncertain Futures, gallery 8.
🎥 Watch now https://youtu.be/GiahjxK6U9o?si=f9ip_j-lLhHwpAOP

Manchester City Council Manchester Metropolitan University The University of Manchester Wythenshawe Good Neighbours The National Lottery Community Fund Wai Yin Society

28/06/2024

Discover Manchester's emerging art scene as Future Creatives celebrates its 8th year! 🎨

This dynamic partnership between Manchester Art Gallery and The Manchester College nurtures the city's most promising young talents, empowering them to explore and present fresh perspectives in their city.

Delving deep into our collections, artists and students have explored artworks from the Rutherston Loans Collection and created personal responses that help us understand what artworks still spark interest today.

📅 Mark your calendars for 5 July!
👀 See works by 350 emerging artists, ranging from Level 1 to 3 Visual Arts qualifications.
🏛️ Two venues, double the creativity:

Manchester Art Gallery
Artworks & Performances, 2pm

The Manchester College City Campus
'Cream of Manchester' Exhibition, 6pm

The Manchester College The National Lottery Heritage Fund 📷 Karina Spencer

26/06/2024

We're working with Greater Manchester R**e Crisis (GMRC) South Asian women’s group and exploring creative ways to look after mental health using art and psycho-education.

We're engaging with objects in our collection and responding to them in our art studio using creative activity and open discussion. Together we are exploring challenging issues with centre staff and service users as well as finding community, laughter and inspiration as a group.

The sessions are part of our Trauma-Informed Gallery programme that seeks to understand what a trauma-informed art gallery looks, feels and behaves like and is generously supported by The Baring Foundation.


• Photo shared with participant's permission. Image is a replica of an artwork made in session. •

25/06/2024

Fashion Flip: Holiday Club for young people aged 8-14 ♻️👚

Transform those forgotten clothes at the back of your wardrobe into fresh fashion statements! Join Stitched Up ’s sustainable fashion workshops!
🎨 Reimagine, rework, and breathe new life into your old wardrobe
👗 Pick up cool design and sewing skills
🌿 Learn more about fast fashion and how your style choices can make a difference

For creative minds aged 8-14
📅 13, 14 & 15 August 2024
🎟️ FREE, requires a £5 booking deposit. Funded by Recycle For Greater Manchester

Perfect for school holidays or weekend fun. Book now https://bit.ly/45EhIPX

👀 See Stitched Up’s handy work in our Unpicking Couture exhibition.
This visibly mended denim jacket helps us talk about how we can take care of the garments we own and give them new life.

24/06/2024

Green fingers crossed! 🌿🤞
Brilliant news! Our Derek Jarman Pocket Park volunteers are nominated for Britain In Bloom North West's 'It's Your Neighbourhood' category. Judges visit in July, so wish them luck! 🍀

‘Green, what would a garden be without the myriad of variations and shades? It’s the fundamental building block for all that follows, bringing forth a multitude of riotous rainbow colours.’ - Phillip, volunteer

Discover more about our blooming Pocket Park in the latest volunteer blog post 👉 https://bit.ly/3xkMssR

🪴Have you visited our Pocket Park yet? What's your favourite feature? Let us know below! 👇

LGBT Foundation Manchester City Council

23/06/2024

What is your favourite artwork in the gallery? 🖼️🐅🐘🦒

Sara and Absalat chose the wooden Noah’s Ark in our Climate Justice gallery. We talked about all the different animals we recognised and the history behind this Victorian children’s toy.

“When she see’s dog she says ‘woof, woof’. When she sees sheep, ‘baa’!
I like the gallery because there are so many pictures here, so many histories.”


Refugee Week Manchester City of Sanctuary City of SanctuaryManchester City Council

21/06/2024

📢 Chef de Partie
🍽️ We’re seeking a passionate and skilled chef to work alongside our Head and Sous Chefs. You’ll help craft innovative menus, manage ingredient inventory, and ensure top-notch food quality and kitchen efficiency. With a focus on excellence and adherence to health and safety standards, you’ll play a crucial role in delivering exceptional dining experiences. Ready to take your culinary career to the next level?
📅 Deadline: 21 July 2024
📝 Apply: bit.ly/3T6vX9F

20/06/2024

Manchester has lots to offer families and young children. But if you’re new to the city, how do you find out what’s available? 🎨📚🏛️

As part of our Families of the World project, we have created a free web app to help families seeking sanctuary access Manchester’s amazing FREE galleries, museums and libraries. The website is in six languages and features short information films made by the families themselves.

You can take a peek here 👇
https://familiesoftheworldmcr.com/

Families of the World is generously funded by The Oglesby Charitable Trust.

Manchester City Council

18/06/2024

So nearly there we can visualise it perfectly! 🖼️👀🖼️

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far towards acquiring Florence Claxton's revolutionary 'Women's Work' for Manchester. Thanks to two major grants and your generosity, we've raised £115,385 🙌

But we're not quite over the finish line yet. We still need to raise £14,615 to reach our £130,000 target and bring this painting into the city's collection permanently. Can't you just picture it hanging in the gallery?

Together we can make this happen. Every single donation, large or small, can help us help us secure 'Women's Work' for future generations to be inspired by.

https://manchesterartgallery.org/womans-work-a-medley-fundraising-appeal/

Art Fund Arts Council England

17/06/2024

17/06/2024

17/06/2024

Take a closer look at The Tailor with Art UK 🔍👀 in this brilliant new resource for primary schools filmed with artist Harold Offeh ⬇️⬇️⬇️

A new video is now live 📽️

Join artist Harold Offeh as he discovers ‘The Tailor’ by Lubaina Himid, behind the scenes at Manchester Art Gallery.

Check out the resource for primary schools 👉 https://ow.ly/1qcJ50SiN7w

© the artist. 📷 Manchester Art Gallery

Freelands Foundation

17/06/2024

What a way to start our celebrations of ! 🧡
Manchester Art Gallery has been awarded Gallery of Sanctuary 🥳

We are thrilled that this award recognises the hard work of all our staff and volunteers and that the Gallery continues to be a safe space for everyone.

City of Sanctuary Manchester City of Sanctuary Manchester City Council Refugee Week

16/06/2024

Did you know that the Gallery Café is a registered Refill Station?💧🙌

By offering free filtered still or sparkling water in our Gallery Café, we hope to make it easier for visitors to stay hydrated while exploring our exhibitions - without the need for disposable bottles.
Plus, we're more than happy to refill your reusable water bottles whenever you pop in. Just ask one of our friendly team members and they'll be glad to help!
It's all part of our pledge to reduce single-use plastic and create a greener, more environmentally conscious community. 🌿💚

And when you're on the move, don't forget to download the handy Refill HQ app to locate other nearby Refill Stations.

13/06/2024

11/06/2024

We're so excited to launch a new video from next week.

We were lucky to be granted access behind the scenes at Manchester Art Gallery to film a wonderful painting, 'The Tailor' by Lubaina Himid, with artist Harold Offeh as presenter.

Don't miss out - sign up to our learning newsletter to be the first to see all the latest resources! 👉 https://ow.ly/Lskw50S9Bky

📸 Edward Morgan
Featured artwork: 'The Tailor' by Lubaina Himid (b.1954) © the artist 📸 Manchester Art Gallery

Art UK Freelands Foundation