• Exiles and Descendants

    Archives+ Ground Floor

    This exhibition from Polonia Northern England uncovers the remarkable history of a Polish community (Polonia) deported and displaced during WWII. Through photographs, letters, and personal documents, it showcases experiences of forced deportation, war crimes, refuge, and significant contributions to Britain's freedom. The exhibition also explores post-war resettlement in exile in Northern England and community efforts […]

  • Voices of the City

    Ground Floor (Oculus Area)

    Voices of the City exhibition is a powerful and welcoming photography exhibition of a creative project which celebrated identity, belonging and community. Created by Community Arts North West, the project brought together a group of diverse young people and adults to tell their stories by working with drama facilitator and physical theatre director, Julia Wilson […]

  • Cultural Masterplanning – How Manchester changed the way we make cities

    A major new exhibition at Manchester Central Library explores the process of Cultural Masterplanning and how creative interventions in urban spaces undergoing redevelopment can reconnect fragmented places with their past and allow us to look to a dynamic shared future. These playful interactions change how transformation feels and help us involved and  that change is happening with us, […]

  • Manchester Bomb 1996: Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Manchester IRA explosion

    Archives+ Ground Floor

    Manchester Archives+ presents archive material, photographs and film footage from the Archives+ collections to remember the day when time stood still for the city. This exhibition captures Manchester's drive to recover and rebuild, aided by the extraordinary wave of support from people, communities and institutions across the region and the world. Free – just drop […]

  • South Manchester Camera Club 2026 Exhibition of Members’ Images

    First Floor

    SMCC welcomes everyone to visit Manchester Central library to view a wide selection of members’ images. Pictures have been captured across a wide section of our members representing their individual skill, technique and style. SMCC is an active, friendly and progressive photography club offering a wide range of speakers, outings and events. The Club was […]

  • Ukraine Today Exhibition

    First Floor Display Cases

    This documentary photography exhibition presents the work of Ukrainian photographer Olena Melnykova, a member of the volunteer team Auto Angel Lviv, who regularly takes part in humanitarian missions to eastern Ukraine. Travelling alongside volunteers, she documents the lives of local people, the work of the team, and the everyday reality of war. These photographs are […]

  • In Her Colours

    First Floor Exhibition Hall

    View the 2026 Women Into Visual Arts and Enterprise exhibition celebrating the creativity and talent of women artists from Nigeria and Salford, plus the finalists from their local women’s arts competition. Delivered by Langworthy Cornerstone Association Ltd in partnership with Collabo2Succeed CIC, the exhibition showcases empowering artistic journeys, from beginner workshops to final exhibition display […]

  • New Chapters

    Wolfson Reading Room

    UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design students from The Manchester College have developed a personal body of work inspired by books selected from Manchester Central Library. The boards on display provide an insight into each student's individual research, interests and creative journey. Through exploration and experimentation, students have investigated ideas, conducted research, and tested […]

  • The Manchester Pop Trail – Exhibition

    Lwr Ground Floor - Manchester Histories Hub

    A pop-up exhibition celebrating the city's musical heritage through Paul Wilde's original artwork and research. The Manchester Pop Trail offers a visual record of the city’s musical evolution, through the creative work of writer, historian and artist Paul Wilde. Spanning genres from the Blues to Punk and Britpop, this exhibition traces the city’s popular music story – exploring not only the artists who became household names, […]

  • VR Headset Experiences

    Recurring
    Ground Floor

    This September, prepare to explore new worlds with David Attenborough, Wallace & Gromit, Matthew Bourne, Vaughan Williams and more at your local library. For three weeks in September, Manchester Libraries will be hosting state-of-the-art VR headsets and a feast of FREE digital experiences. Manchester Libraries are one of nine library services in England to take […]

  • VR Headset Experiences

    Recurring
    Ground Floor

    This September, prepare to explore new worlds with David Attenborough, Wallace & Gromit, Matthew Bourne, Vaughan Williams and more at your local library. For three weeks in September, Manchester Libraries will be hosting state-of-the-art VR headsets and a feast of FREE digital experiences. Manchester Libraries are one of nine library services in England to take […]

  • Photo Exhibition: What Makes a Great Coach?

    First Floor

    Hosted by the charity Women in Sport, this photo exhibition celebrates everything women bring to coaching. Still in 2026, women are still undervalued and underrepresented in sports coaching. Women in Sport's research has found that 30% of female coaches report being bullied (twice as many as men) and are 18% less likely to say their […]