Things to do in Manchester, England: The Best Art Galleries

Saul Hay Gallery is a contemporary art gallery and consultancy in Castlefield, central Manchester. Working with emerging and established artists we will present a diverse programme of contemporary painting, drawing, sculpture and photography. At Saul Hay Fine Art you will receive a highly personalised service, always dealing directly with Directors Catherine and Ian Hay. We bring our curatorial skills and our extensive network of relationships with artists to help you in everything from finding you the perfect signature piece to working with you and your designers to bring a collection of work to add those personal finishing touches to your design project. We are able to help source contemporary artworks for residential projects, offices, restaurants or hotels. We will also advise on building a collection over the longer term. Our aim will always be to celebrate the very best of contemporary art from Manchester and beyond.

Contemporary Six is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of Manchester, opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new explorers to the city. Visit today and enjoy original works of quality and substance by emerging and internationally acclaimed artists.

Adorning walls worldwide for the last 17years. See Jessica painting in her gallery/ studio, buy artworks Jewellery and candles. Commission Jessica to paint tour own personal favourite view of place. All utterly unique. Upstairs in the Manchester Craft and Design Centre

From our historical collections to international contemporary art, we aim to bring fresh perspectives, encourage conversation and spark debate. Explore our collections of fine art, spanning six centuries and including many major modern and contemporary pieces. We are famous for 19th century British paintings, particularly our outstanding collection of Pre-Raphaelite works. Our decorative arts collections showcase the artistry, tastes and techniques of every era and culture, from ancient civilizations to today’s designer makers. Our collections of ceramics, silver, glass, furniture and costume are especially fine. We constantly renew and update our collections displays so you should discover something new every time you visit. And, we're free to visit!

Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art is leading the UK in exploring Chinese contemporary culture. We aim to make Chinese contemporary art and visual culture accessible to everyone through our exhibitions, events, shop, artist residencies, festivals, engagement programmes and research forums. Our exhibitions are set across intimate gallery spaces, where visitors get up close and personal with the artworks on display. We have a proud 30-year history of UK ‘first’ solo exhibitions, featuring exceptional emerging artists that go on to achieve international acclaim. Our unique events programme explores different aspects of our exhibitions and includes practical workshops, film screenings, informal talks and performances. Our shop reflects our interest in contemporary Chinese culture and stocks a range of products, offering something unique for everyone. You can find CFCCA in the heart of Manchester’s creative Northern Quarter and visit our free exhibitions Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.

Firmly established as the most progressive independent gallery space in the North for nearly two decades, ARTZU Gallery proudly stands like a beacon for art lovers, artists, private collectors and corporate art buyers alike.

The Portico Library is an independent subscription library, exhibitions space, café and shop in Manchester City Centre. Still housed in its original purpose-built venue on Mosley Street, it is now open free to the public five days a week for an eclectic calendar of exhibitions and events, complementing the unique collection of books, archives and illustrations spanning over 450 years. Previously a members’ only institution with associates including John Dalton, Peter Mark Roget, Elizabeth Gaskell, Emmeline Pankhurst, Robert Peel, Val McDermid and Eric Cantona, all visitors can now enjoy a meal or drink in the café from Monday to Friday and participate in diverse outreach and engagement programmes including the prestigious Portico Prize and Portico Sadie Massey Awards.

Manchester's brightest, most colourful, independent shop offering a wide range of art and design by local artists. We carry a great selection of handmade jewellery, vintage clothes, children's toys and clothing and quirky, hand-picked home accessories. We are located in the Chorlton Precinct shopping centre, in the heart of Chorlton and we are open 7 days a week.