• “You can see me, but I don’t exist”

    Wolfson Reading Room

    While photographing refugees in France, Belgium, Austria, and Sweden in 2018, Alan Gignoux noticed that a recurring theme among them was the gradual erosion of self, resulting from prolonged periods […]

  • Discovering Manchester: Wildlife & Nature 

    First Floor Display Cases

    Wildlife is always just a walk away wherever you are in Manchester and the beautiful countryside that surrounds it. This exhibition showcases the creative talents and passions of our Central […]

  • Manchester College Students: Responses

    Wolfson Reading Room

    Foundation Art and Design Students from The Manchester College have brought the Art School’s ethos of research to the heart of our iconic Wolfson Reading Room. Each student has developed […]

  • Curry Mile – A Changing Neighbourhood

    First Floor Exhibition Hall

    A documentary photography project spanning 7 years (2016-2023). Photographers Michael Baker & Phil Portus explore ‘present day’ Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, and challenge perceptions of what ‘Curry Mile’ now represents, as […]

  • Paper Piano Exhibition

    Henry Watson Music Library

    Paper Piano – A Retrospective For the last 10 years, Paper Piano have been creating music related artwork and packaging. More recently they have focused on hand-made books; this combination […]

  • Marketing the Manchester Ship Canal 1919-1939

    Archives+ Ground Floor

    This new exhibition showcases a range of original publicity material and print adverts created as marketing for the Port of Manchester. This saw a revolution in publicity with modern ideas […]

  • Futures for All

    City Library

    GMCA: Futures for All is an employability skills programme for young people across Greater Manchester with SEN, that empowers employers to recognise and celebrate the value of a diverse workforce […]

  • When the Dust Settles – Exhibition

    Archives+ Ground Floor

    There are currently thousands of refugees in the UK waiting for decisions on their family reunion applications. Forced migration and the traumatic consequences of separation, as well as of the […]

  • Robert John Watson: The Sky Above Her

    First Floor Exhibition Hall

    Exhibiting work spanning 20 years, Robert Watson (one of the country’s leading documentary and contemporary photographic artists) returns to Central Library. This free exhibition features images of Manchester Pride and […]

  • Medicine Unboxed – Lifting the Lid on Medical Innovation

    Performance Space

    Medicine Unboxed - Lifting the lid on medical innovation Doctors, artists, scammers - discover the people who have shaped the medical field and how this has impacted people’s lives. Forget […]

  • Untold Stories of the Village

    Ground Floor

    In partnership with The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust, Holding Her Space presents 'Untold Stories of the Village' exhibition. Working with photographer Tanya Weekes and artist Tina […]

  • 10 Years – David Gleave Photography

    First Floor Exhibition Hall

    David Gleave is a Manchester-based image-maker who took up photography through his passion for social history. He chronicles his life and the people and events he has encountered. David sees […]