esea contemporary

Creative Tourist
Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art CFCCA by Michael Pollard
Photo by Michael Pollard

Thanks to its dynamic programme of events and exhibitions celebrating artists of East and Southeast Asian heritage, esea contemporary (formerly Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, CFCCA) is widely regarded as the number one place for experiencing East and Southeast Asian contemporary art in the UK.

Established in 1986, originally located in Chinatown but now tucked away at the end of Thomas Street in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter, esea contemporary presents and supports artists and art informed by East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) cultural backgrounds. Alongside a regularly changing programme of new exhibitions, it also commissions new work and runs artist-in-residency schemes.

esea contemporary is also one of the only public art galleries in the Northern Quarter, alongside Manchester Craft and Design Centre, and a long-standing favourite for many. For these reasons, it more than warrants the title of one of the best galleries in Manchester.

Market buildings, Thomas StreetManchesterM4 1EU View map
Telephone: 0161 832 7271 Visit Now

Admission Charges

Free

Commercial and Hire Services

For Hire

Services and Facilities

Gallery, shop

Opening Hours

  • Tuesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Sunday12:00pm - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near esea contemporary

Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
Picture of the artist Tourist
MusicManchester
Tourist at New Century

London-based songwriter Tourist brings his yearning, bittersweet electronica to New Century in support of his new album, Memory Morning.

from £20.59
Until
MusicManchester
Open Deck at Band on the Wall

Bring your records for a spin at our Open Deck session this Saturday! If you’ve bought some new vinyl from a local record shop this week, just show your receipt at the bar to get yourself a free 9” pizza!

MusicManchester
Un-Convention Manchester 2024

Un-Convention is the ultimate independent music industry conference and showcase taking place at Band on the Wall in Manchester this November.

MusicManchester
Bar Italia at Band on the Wall

One of London’s most hyped bands of the moment, Bar Italia are playing Band on the Wall in support of their acclaimed 2023 album, The Twits.

from £15
ActivityManchester
Beyond the Music 2024

Hear directly from the people powering the music industry in both Manchester and the UK, as well as witnessing some of the North’s upcoming talent at Beyond the Music.

from £16.75

Where to go near esea contemporary

Manchester Pubs
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Trof Northern Quarter

It’s a landmark year for Trof NQ. In the years since it first opened, the Northern Quarter has developed around it to become one of the city’s most prominent areas.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Bar 21

A bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter for fans of television and cinema science fiction. Enjoy food and drink amongst a off-beat selection of movie memorabilia.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
This & That Café

Eternally popular curry canteen taking its name from a time when patrons didn’t know what to call their orders, but pointed instead to a bit of “this” and “that”.

Manchester
Restaurant
Disorder

Disorder is a new bar and restaurant in the Northern Quarter, based where the old Walrus venue was, with Bryan Barber as executive chef.

Wolf At The Door
Manchester
Restaurant
Wolf At The Door

Three storey bar and restaurant on Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter, from the team behind the Wilderness record store and bar in Withington.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Bay Horse Tavern

The Bay Horse Tavern is a laid-back pub based in the dead centre of the Northern Quarter, with a wide range of drinks and food options.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Ziferblat Manchester

Ziferblat is a pay as you stay café in the northern quarter, where everything is free – except the time you spend.

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