History

The Manchester School of Design was set up in 1838, only the second design school in Britain, and became the Manchester School of Art shortly after. The present magnificent art school (now Grosvenor building) was built in 1880, and it was here in the early years of the century that L.S.Lowry studied.

Many well known artists and designers have taught here over the decades including painter Adolphe Vallete (a contemporary of Lowry’s) and Walter Crane, who was Head of Design. The impressive Holden Gallery within the original building was once the Textile Court, and now houses a programme of contemporary art and design exhibitions.

The next door listed building, once Chorlton Town Hall, was the site of the third Pan-African congress in 1945.

In the 1960s the Chatham Building was constructed and now houses the Design and Architecture Schools. In recent years graduates from many disciplines have made their mark on culture internationally, including Thomas Heatherwick and Peter Saville,(Design), Mick Hucknall (Fine Art) and Julie Walters, Steve Coogan and Sir Anthony Sher (Acting).