Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, our usual recommendations for exhibitions to go and see in Manchester and the North are a little different. Our thoughts at this time are with our readers and with the organisations and businesses that make the North of England a great place to live and visit.
We are so grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England for supporting our freelance writers during this crisis. This means that, although venues remain shut and campaigns cancelled, our writers can be reengaged to help arts organisations and artists across the North of England share their online content with our culture-hungry readers.
Be sure to check out our full guide to the best online events from organisations in Manchester and the North too.
Stay well folks.
Here are our picks
-
1. And Say the Animal Responded? at FACT, Liverpool
Demelza Kooij, Wolves from Above (2018). Courtesy of the artist. And Say the Animal Responded? at FACT, City Centre, 12 August–13 December 2020, free entry - Find Out More
FACT reopens its galleries to the public with ‘And Say the Animal Responded?’ – a new exhibition that offers a fascinating window into the lives of the other animals that form part of Earth’s total population.
-
2. BENGAL: The Four Elements at Grizedale Forest Gallery
Image courtesy of Grizedale Forest BENGAL : The Four Elements at Grizedale Sculpture at Grizedale Forest, Cumbria, Until 9 September 2020, free entry - Visit now
Internationally-renowned sculptor Gerry Judah presents a new body of work examining the impact of climate change upon his pace of birth.
-
3. DigiFest / Manchester Histories Festival 2020 – Online
Family of Lord Alf Morris, courtesy of Manchester Histories DigiFest / Manchester Histories Festival 2020 – Online, 4–5 September 2020, free entry - Find Out More
Manchester Histories launches DigiFest – an online version of this year’s festival, which marks the 50th anniversary of a landmark act that recognised and granted rights to people with disabilities.
-
4. BAM Online – with Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
Watching The Procession, Palermo, Alan McNab, Bury Art Museum collection. -
5. Posters from the Irish civil rights era – Online with the Working Class Movement Library
Richard Rogerson [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons Posters from the civil rights era – an online exhibition, online, Until 30 June 2021, free entry - Visit now
The Working Class Movement Library in Salford presents an online exhibition of powerful posters made by young activists fighting for civil rights in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
-
6. The Degree Show on Mars – Online
Degree Show On Mars, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) BA Fine Degree Show, 2020 The Degree Show on Mars, online, Until 31 August 2020, free entry - Visit now
Dust of your space helmets and prepare for take-off. Graduating art students from Liverpool John Moores University present a multiverse exhibition responding to the many challenges we are currently facing back on Earth.
-
7. The Gardener Digs in Another Time – Online at the Whitworth
Oberon, 1969-1976, Peter Blake. Copyright © Peter Blake & The Whitworth, The University of Manchester -
8. WEB/SITE – Online at Site Gallery, Sheffield
Spiral Holds # 2 Phoebe Davies. -
9. The Living Planet – Online at FACT, Liverpool
Video still from documentary film Une vie de Grand Rhinolophe (2014), directed by Tanguy Stoecklé -
10. Bill Brandt / Henry Moore – Online at The Hepworth Wakefield
Bill Brandt, Nude, East Sussex Coast. Gelatin silver print, 1960. Bill Brandt Archive, London, © Bill Brandt / Bill Brandt Archive Ltd. -
11. Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism – Online at Gallery Oldham
Specials Fans. Potternewton Park, Leeds, 1981. Courtesy of the artist and Autograph, London -
12. Wake Up Together and Where Love is Illegal – VR Version, Online at Open Eye Gallery
Untitled, Ren Hang, 2016. Stieglitz19 Wake Up Together, online, Until 31 August 2020, free entry - Visit now
Travel back in time and explore a VR-edition of Open Eye Gallery’s hugely popular 2018-19 exhibition, ‘Wake Up Together’, featuring work by Ren Hang and Robin Hammond; two artists who both champion the rights of every person to love who they want and respectfully live as they wish.
-
13. Abel Rodríguez – Online at BALTIC, Gateshead
Abel Rodriguez – Terraza Alta VI, 2019 -
14. New Digital Experiences at People’s History Museum
Image © People’s History Museum New digital experiences for 2020 at People’s History Museum, City Centre, Until 23 December 2020, free entry - Visit now
Can cutting-edge tech bring us closer to the events of the past? People’s History Museum unveils a series of digital experiences that shine a light on key moments in the history of democracy.
-
15. Manchester Craft and Design Centre: Craft at Home
Manchester Craft and Design Centre Manchester Craft and Design Centre: Craft at Home at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Manchester and online, Until 31 August 2020, free entry - Visit now
‘Craft at Home’ is a new online space where you can continue to support Manchester Craft & Design Centre’s resident makers, pick-up bespoke gifts, and get busy with bee-related craft.
-
16. Judy Chicago – Online at BALTIC, Gateshead
Judy Chicago Purple Poem for Miami, 2019 Fireworks performance © Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Photo © Donald Woodman/ARS, New York
More in Exhibitions
Manchester Art Gallery Highlights Tour
Take a tour around select artworks from Manchester Art Gallery’s collection. Lead by different guides every day, each tour is personal to their taste. Tours start at 2 pm from Thursday to Sunday.
Trading Station: how hot drinks shape our lives at Manchester Art Gallery
Trading Station at Manchester Art Gallery charts the history and changing social role of hot drinks in our lives.
2020 Banner Display at People’s History Museum
Visit People’s History Museum’s 2020 display of political banners from across the years – including several that will go on public show for the first time.
Utopias at the Whitworth
How have visions of utopia and the visual culture that helped form it impacted upon the Brexit debate? A new exhibition at the Whitworth explores.
Whitworth Art Gallery Daily Tour
Take a closer look at some of the Whitworth Art Gallery’s collection while gaining a better understanding of the context in which the pieces were created. The free tours run daily from 2 pm.
POSTPONED -The Tiger Who Came to Tea and the Adventures of Mog the Forgetful Cat at Z-arts
In this immersive exhibition, children can let their imaginations go wild as they take centre stage alongside some of their favourite characters from beloved children’s author, Judith Kerr.
Wait I’m From Wuhan with HOME
Follow Jasmine’s story, as she struggles to decide whether or not to search for her birth family in Wuhan, told via a series of Instagram and blog posts.
Joana Vasconcelos at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents the monumental work of celebrated Portuguese sculptor Joana Vasconcelos.
Suzanne Lacy: We Are Here at Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth
Suzanne Lacy: We Are Here marks the only UK stop of a major touring retrospective dedicated to the American feminist artist.
Culture Guides
Cinema Online
We look at the outdoor screenings and digital releases you can enjoy as cinemas prepare to reopen safely.
Families Online
Need some inspiration for online activities and creative family fun? Look no further than our top picks online for families across Manchester and the North.
Literature
From book launches to poetry and prose readings and from open mics to creative writing workshops and masterclasses, Live Literature Land has online activities and events nailed.
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester.
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
For the August guide, we’ve dug out the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North to explore now that lockdown has thankfully eased.
Online events
Discover the best things to do online from the organisations we love in Manchester and the North.
Tours and Activities
Socially distant walks and virtual tours are among the offerings in this month’s guide of Tours and Activities.
Related Guides
Food and Drink in Manchester and the North
For the August guide, we’ve dug out the best Food and Drink in Manchester and the North to explore now that lockdown has thankfully eased.
Art Galleries in Manchester & Salford
That’s right, art galleries in Manchester are slowly beginning to reopen as lockdown begins to ease. Here’s what we know so far.
Museums in Sheffield
Sheffield has more than its fair share of weird and wonderful museums housed within its seven hills. Check out our favourites.
Art Galleries in Sheffield
A contender for the UK’s largest practicing community of artists and designers outside London – there’s a pretty impressive number of top art galleries in Sheffield.
Lunch in Manchester
Whether it’s a light bite or a hefty doorstep you’re after, good lunch places (like coffee shops) are one thing Manchester is not short on.
Museums in Manchester
Manchester is studded with fantastic museums – read our picks of the best here.
Places to go / stay / shop / eat / drink
Things to do right now
Powered by
