Exhibition

On the anniversary of Peterloo, we want to transport you to the world of ‘Libertalia’ a place where all are free and equal, a ‘way of being’ the people of Peterloo wanted so much for Manchester. ‘Libertalia’ was a city founded by Madagascan pirates in the 17th century. Here the pirates acted as “vigilant guardians of […]

MAG (Mines Advisory Group), a Manchester-based landmine clearance charity, is celebrating 30 years of life-saving work across the globe. The Walk Without Fear exhibition tells the stories of people affected by landmines in Angola, and MAG's campaign for a world without landmines by 2025.

The histories and lived experiences of deafness are rich and complex. Extraordinary technological advances have been made in the exploration of hearing, alongside a better appreciation of the social and psychological impact of sensory perception on learning. The materials displayed offer an insight into the varied historical and contemporary approaches in deaf education and audiology, from […]

Founded in Manchester by former foster carer and straight ally Cath Hall in 1989, akt (formerly The Albert Kennedy Trust) now works to support LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness across the UK. This portrait exhibition celebrates faces from throughout its lifetime, including patrons, ex-service users, mentors, carers and Cath herself. Free – please drop-in

This exhibition showcases the Our Town Hall project on the major refurbishment to Manchester Town Hall, taking place until 2024. During this time, a series of creative projects that connect the people of the city with the Town Hall will run - engaging new networks of artists, organisations, communities and international partners to work together. […]

Join us for musical performances from disabled Manchester artists as we celebrate UK Disability History Month and International Day of Disabled People 2019. Confirmed artists: the fantastic Spotlighters band, brilliant singer/songwriter Dennis Queen, and the very talented Bee Vocal Manchester Mental Health Choir, plus a disability history talk "Disabled people against apartheid" by disability history […]

This pop-up exhibition reflects on the materials used in the development and transformation of medical practice. Featuring objects from the Museum of Medicine and Health’s fascinating collection, it raises important questions about material functions, sustainability and innovation in contemporary medical practices. Free – please drop in

In 1919 the ‘Addison Act’ was passed by Parliament. This Housing Act helped local authorities to build social housing after World War One and guided policy for the country’s housing sector for most of the 20th century. Join us for the launch of this exhibition exploring its impact on Manchester. Free - please drop in

This LGBT History Month Unlocking Our Sound Heritage presents an intimate room of curated archive audio and immersive projections. Manchester's LGBTQ+ community took to both the streets and the dancefloor in response to the AIDS crisis and the introduction of Section 28. The event explores these vital spaces of defiance by pairing key BBC Radio […]

PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS AN ONLINE EXHIBITION This month, artist / photograper Steve Marland was due to show his fascinating exhibition, Urban Archaeology, in the library's first floor display cases. Due to Covid 19 and the venue's temporary closure, this hasn't been possible. However, we are delighted to be able to show a selection […]

PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS AN ONLINE EXHIBITION Art and Design students and staff at The Manchester College take over Manchester Libraries Instagram account in this online exhibition of work produced during lockdown… Manchester: Life Under Lockdown documents students’ creative experiences during lockdown and reveal the importance of everyday things, family, pets, gardens and creativity. […]