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Art & Design

Art & Design
Photograph of The Triangle shopping centre, Printworks and Urbis from Exchange Square, Manchester

Manchester Creative City

The recent resurgence of Manchester as a major European cultural centre has led it to be described as the “new Barcelona”. The redevelopment of industrial city centre spaces into stylish loft apartments by such award winning groups as Urban Splash, and the largest gay Village and Chinese Quarter outside London have added to the cultural and creative mix.

Galleries and design organisations have sprung up all over the city, which is host to many international festivals such as Futuresonic and the Manchester Festival. The city is also host to a thriving alternative community of artists and designers, as well as the world renowned music scene which gave us The Smiths, Oasis, and Joy Division.

The city has an unrivalled reputation as a European centre of the arts. There are some 13 theatres including the Royal Exchange, the Palace Theatre, the Opera House and the new young people's theatre, The Contact.

The Manchester City Art gallery complements a gallery scene which includes the Cornerhouse, the Cube Gallery, Castlefield and The Whitworth. Recent additions at Salford Quays, have been The Lowry, a waterfront centre for the visual arts and entertainment, and the Imperial War Museum, North designed by Daniel Liebeskind.

The Bridgewater Hall provides a striking venue for the Hallé and BBC Philarmonic Orchestras. Other venues include the legendary Apollo and the 20,000 seater MEN arena. There are numerous cinemas: Filmworks, in the Printworks complex, is a superb multiplex cinema including a giant IMAX 3D screen, and international films are screened daily at the Cornerhouse.

Manchester is a major centre for press, radio and television broadcasting. There is a thriving local and regional press together with numerous radio stations. Both the BBC and Granada have major TV studios in the city, and the BBC is relocating much of its programme making from London to the city.

The city is easily accessible from all parts of the UK and beyond, and is served by a world class, international airport, rapid rail links and one of the most extensive motorway systems in the country.

Art Galleries, Museums and Spaces

Cornerhouse

Cornerhouse is a hub of contemporary visual arts and film. With three floors of art, three cinema screens, a cafe, bookstore, and bar, Cornerhouse offers a sensory experience with a distinct international flaire. Innovative art exhibits are held regularly. Address: 70 Oxford St, Manchester M1 5NH
Website: www.cornerhouse.org

The Whitworth Art Gallery

The Whitworth Art Gallery began as a museum of industrial art and design, but has expanded to display a noteworthy collection of British watercolors, as well as prints, and historic wallpapers. Open every day except major holidays. Special exhibitions are held throughout the year.
Website: www.whitworth.man.ac.uk

Floating IP

floating ip is a gallery based in Ancoats - the physical heart of the industrial revolution in Manchester. Run by artists Dave Beech, Graham Parker, Rachel Goodyear and James Hutchinson, it has been established as a long term space for innovative practice and research, with an emphasis on archiving some of the best of Manchester art practice alongside significant projects by international peers.
Website: www.floatingip.com/info.html

Apartment

Apartment is an artist led space in a one bedroom council flat in a sixties tower block in central Manchester, co run by Hilary Jack and Paul Harfleet.
Website: www.apartmentmanchester.blogspot.com

Bankley Gallery

Bankley Gallery aims to give new and emerging artists the chance to exhibit their work while also providing a space in which more established artists can experiment with their practice.
Website: www.bankley.org.uk/gallery/gallery.html

UHC

UHC is a design and multi-disciplinary art collective concerned with the fundamental social phenomena of power relations, economics and the environment. We instigate our own projects and work with others on group shows and events.
Website: www.uhc.org.uk

Other Art Galleries and Studios: