What's on

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 […]

Paper Piano Presents: Gideon Conn

Henry Watson Music Library

Another "Paper Piano Presents", this time with Gideon Conn, the first artist to appear on the label. Known for effortlessly blending acoustic soul, jazz and hip hop, Gideon has a […]

Back to School Activity

Performance Space

Sharpen your pencils and get your sports kit ready – it’s back to school! Come and decorate your own gym bag and more. Suitable for ages 4–11 Free – just […]

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 […]

Jesse Armstrong: Succession The Complete Scripts.

Performance Space

SOLD OUT To celebrate the release of The Complete Scripts, we are absolutely thrilled to be welcoming writer and producer Jesse Armstrong to Manchester to talk about his highly acclaimed TV […]

£10

Heritage Open Days: Family Event

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Central Library and Archives+? Join us on this fun, fact-filled library trail as we take you into the depths of our […]

Black British Book Festival on Tour

“Manchester has been unveiled as one of cities taking centre stage in a summer tour to celebrate the Black British Book Festival this year. In its third year the Black […]