The Holden Gallery

Creative Tourist

Visit now

The Holden Gallery

Grosvenor Building, Cavendish Street, Manchester, M15 6BR
0161 247 1072
  • Monday12:00pm - 6:00pm
  • Tuesday12:00pm - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday12:00pm - 6:00pm
  • Thursday12:00pm - 7:00pm
  • Friday12:00pm - 6:00pm

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

The Holden Gallery, Manchester School of Art
Book now

Manchester School of Art’s Holden Gallery at Manchester Metropolitan University, offers an ongoing programme of exhibitions that are always free to the public.

Since 2013 the Holden Gallery programme has been delivering four newly generated thematic shows a year with a focus on international contemporary art, including the BA and MA degree shows from MMU’s students. The students’ work is often of an impressively high standard so these shows really are worth a visit.

It’s a large space yet from the outside, it blends into its surroundings, potentially making it a little tricky to find. Once you do, you won’t be disappointed. The beautiful surroundings of the gallery elevate the art on display, with contemporary exhibitions working particularly well in contrast to the Gothic building style, glass skylights and parquet floors.

Check the Holden Gallery Instagram page for more information on what’s coming up.

What's on near The Holden Gallery

jonathan schofield giving tour
Until
Manchester
The Kimpton Clocktower Tour

Explore the incredible history behind one of Britain’s grandest and most storied commercial buildings: Manchester’s Grade II listed Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.

From £20
Promotional image of Branford Marsalis playing saxophone
MusicManchester
RNCM Autumn Season

The RNCM unleashes a season of daring stories, fearless players and performances ranging from jazz and opera to film scores and full-blown orchestral spectacle.

From £8
Film still
CinemaManchester
Faust: A German Folk Legend at RNCM

F. W. Murnau’s silent-era masterpiece Faust: A German Folk Legend gets the big screen treatment at the RNCM, with a live improvised organ score.

From £12.00
Abel Selaocoe_Spring 2026_credit Phil Sharp_sq
Until
MusicManchester
Inspirational Artists at RNCM

The RNCM launches its second Inspirational Artists series, spotlighting a huge range of touring musicians and ensembles, each bringing something unique to the stage.

From £12.50

Where to go near The Holden Gallery

Manchester
Gallery
Manchester School of Art

The Manchester School of Art, of which the Holden Gallery is a part, is a beautiful neo-Gothic building that’s part of MMU’s All Saints campus.

Manchester Metropolitan University Brooks building, Birley Campus in Manchester
Manchester
Event venue
MMU Birley Campus

Birley is Manchester Met’s world-class centre for Education and Health Professionals and the university’s flagship community campus.

The Salutation pub in Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Salutation

This traditional boozer, surrounded by imposing flats and university buildings, was taken over by Trof (of the Deaf Institute fame). The Sally, as the regulars call it, hosts an energetic, arty crowd – and its recently expanded outside area is another good reason to visit.

Manchester
University
MMU Student Union

Manchester Metropolitan University Students’ Union building houses a bar and various other facilities for students and staff.

Manchester
Catalog Bookshop

Find Peter and his Christiania cargo bike around All Saints Park, a hop, skip and a bunnyhop from Manchester Poetry Library.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Theatre this month bursts with contrasts - from bold new writing and Black History Month highlights to contemporary arts and reimagined classics.

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.

Cinema in the North

A host of Halloween horrors, experimental shorts, plus pioneering black British cinema make our October Cinema Guide.

Music in the North

Noise, excess and immediacy. From New York’s experimental underground to the most vital sounds of local scenes, autumn gigs are coming in heavy.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...