Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art

Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Market buildings, Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1EU – Visit Now

After a troubled year for all of Manchester’s cultural venues, the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (CFCCA) is reopening to visitors, albeit with a few important limitations. Thanks to its dynamic programme of events and exhibitions that explore and question the notion of ‘Chineseness’ in today’s world it is widely regarded as the number one place for experiencing Chinese contemporary art in the UK.

CFCCA was established in 1986, originally located in Chinatown but now tucked away at the end of Thomas Street in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter, with the soon-achieved goal to become the UK’s leading organisation for the promotion of contemporary Chinese art. Alongside a regularly changing programme of new exhibitions, it also commissions new work and runs artist-in-residency schemes.

The on-site shop is a particular delight, offering everything from ‘sushi socks’ for salmon lovers and panda-themed eco-friendly tableware sets, to jewellery, artist books and limited-edition prints. If you’re looking for left-field gift-buying inspiration, CFCCA’s shop has plenty to offer. It’s 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.

The number one place for experiencing Chinese contemporary art in the UK

But of course, the national and global pandemic means things will be slightly different for the upcoming months. The building itself will be open to visitors but the galleries will be closed. That is until October when the new exhibitions will launch, on the understanding that the current vaccination roll-out will ensure the Covid situation will be much more manageable.

You can also expect increased safety measures to protect the vulnerable and unvaccinated, such as hand sanitiser available at regular locations through the venue, clear signage to aid people on their visit and greatly enhanced cleaning measures to ensure risks are kept to an absolute minimum. This also means only small groups will be allowed, with a maximum of six people allowed at a time. The opening hours are pared back to 11 am to 4 pm, Wednesday to Sunday, and while the galleries will be closed, the popular shop remains open, now employing contactless payment procedures to reduce risk.

For more information about the upcoming exhibitions when the gallery reopens fully, visit the venue’s website at the link below.

• Market buildings, Thomas Street
• Manchester
• M4 1EU
• View map

• Website: www.cfcca.org.uk
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