Cultural institutions
Learn and discover with our wondrous, free-to-access cultural institutions.
Our cultural institutions, found on campus, across Manchester and beyond, provide a universe of amazing ideas for you and your family to explore.
There’s something for everyone – from outer space to intricate manuscripts, the distant past to modern art – as well as a fantastic range of digital resources.
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The Whitworth
Our art gallery is driven by a mission to work with communities to use art for positive social change. This is underpinned by three key concepts: learning together, through making and doing; creating a place of care, consideration and community; and taking action.
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Manchester Museum
Following an extraordinary £15 million transformation, the museum offers the public more inclusive spaces for learning with new collections such as the South Asia Gallery, the UK’s first permanent space to explore the experiences of South Asian diaspora communities.
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The John Rylands Research Institute and Library
Our Grade I-listed, neo-Gothic John Rylands Research Institute and Library houses 250,000 printed volumes and more than a million manuscripts and archival items – including the first-of-its-kind British Pop Archive. What’s more, exhibitions and one-off events take place here throughout the year.
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Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Our UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to Bernard Lovell's 76-metre Lovell Telescope. As well as public engagement and education activities, Jodrell Bank welcomes thousands of music lovers each summer for its spectacular bluedot festival.
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Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama
The Martin Harris Centre offers a range of musical and theatrical events that are open to the general public. The Centre incorporates the 350-seat Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall and the 150-seat John Thaw Studio Theatre.
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Manchester Digital Collections
Manchester Digital Collections is a resource for exploring high-quality images of cultural collections and research projects at the University, supporting advancing education, knowledge and wisdom for the good of society.
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Language Experience for All Programme
The Language Experience for All Programme, led by the University Language Centre, provides a wide range of courses to the public, with 12 languages taught for personal, professional and academic purposes.
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