Join in the celebration of creative communities in the heart of Manchester with MCDC’s new exhibition ‘Connecting Spaces’.

Everything is connected but we rarely get a chance to really see it – YOU:MATTER is a spectacular audio-visual experience that explores our place in the universe and the invisible links between us and the cosmos.

The celebrated Polish-Roma artist Małgorzata Mirga-Tas sews together vibrant, patterned fabrics to create images of Roma life – previously on show at Tate St Ives, this is an unmissable display.

Laura Ellen Bacon’s nest-like sculptures challenge traditional assumptions about craft, its scale and potential. The artist draws in space using willow weaving, to create organic, flowing forms.

Following an 18-month artists residency at a Salford University’s environmental research facility, Mishka Henner and Emily Speed present their new work at Castlefield Gallery.

Throughout spring and summer, Abandon Normal Devices brings us ‘Commons’, a new a programme of openly accessible, interactive events led by digital artists, from immersive games to new ways of sharing knowledge.

Artist Sarah Roberts reflects on environments of care and healing using her signature brightly coloured installations. Her first institutional solo show is informed by personal experiences as a carer and research into medical objects and histories.

A landmark show about women’s rebellion and creativity, filled with powerful (and unexpected) work – you’ll find are explorations of motherhood, domesticity, working conditions and much more. Oh, and there’s an installation made entirely out of… cake.

Imran Perretta confronts inequality and resistance through a powerful, immersive exhibition at HOME.

This newly opened gallery in Southport showcases the work of local painter John Charles and is open every Friday.

The Whitworth celebrates the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth with a new exhibition showcasing 71 prints alongside painted works, showcasing a different side to one of the best known landscape artists.

Pete McKee is a much loved artist and cartoonist born and working in Sheffield. Don’t miss his colourful show at the Weston Park Museum – a walk down memory lane, capturing precious moments and cultural events from the 70s and 80s.

Mani Kambo’s new major body of work focuses on spirituality, superstitions and ritual through the artist’s own lexicon of visual symbols rendered in monochrome. A striking, considered show.

The National Science and Media Museum reopening would not be complete without the Bradford-born superstar artist. David Hockney: Pieced Together presents his collages in paper and video forms.

Manchester Museum’s new exhibition focuses on all things wild or related to the concept of wildness. From environmental campaigns that lead to restoring ecosystems to romanticised landscape paintings, the show gathers different approaches and practices.

Explore incredible objects from the world-renowned theoretical physicist’s office in this special display.

Take a closer look at the lives of bees and their vital role in human existence, in this immersive exhibition created in partnership with artist Wolfgang Buttress.