Learn

Adults

Art can help us to see beyond our horizons – to escape, to play, to imagine, to connect, to create and to share stories. Our adult programmes will ignite your curiosity through talking, noticing and making.

Making Conversation workshop

Tuesdays

Philosophy Café

Third Tuesday of every month, 11–12.30 pm

Philosophy Café is a conversation-based session that runs on the third Tuesday morning of each month at the gallery. A team of staff and volunteers lead each session usually starting in the gallery cafe, discussing the topic in small groups. After this, we explore a relevant artwork on display, followed by a facilitated group discussion in a gallery space. Philosophy Cafe is an opportunity to experience art and discuss a philosophical question, creating a space for people to talk and think together. You don’t need to be an art or philosophy expert. All we ask is you listen and respect other people’s points of view.

No need to book, just turn up and meet in the café.

Making Conversation

Second Tuesday of every month, 1-3.30pm

Get social at this workshop for adults where talking is as important as looking at and making art. You’ll be introduced to a process of visiting a gallery space, exploring ideas and creating art. Please expect to stay for the full three hours which includes breaks and refreshments.

*This workshop includes audio description which supports blind and visually impaired people to participate. We aim to make our programming at Manchester Art Gallery open to all so please email after you book if there is anything in addition we can do to support your visit such as a sighted guide, British Sign Language, or an interpreter.

Free, book via Eventbrite

For more information please contact Kate Day:
Tel: 0161 235 8840
Email: [email protected]

Wednesdays 

Art Bites 

First & Third Wednesday of the month, 12.30pm – 1.15pm

Art Bites is about chatting with other people about art. Each week the session focuses on two contrasting artworks on display. It’s a great way to find out what others think and express your own opinion about art. Everyone is welcome.

No need to book, just turn up.

Thursdays

Gallery Tour

Every Thursday 2-3 pm

Join a guided tour of our world class exhibitions and collections and discover the fascinating stories behind the art and our historic building in these expertly guided tours. Each guide has their own style and choice of artworks, so no two tours are the same.

Free, no need to book.

 

A man in his 30s wearing round glasses and a yellow sweatshirt talking to a couple on the other side of the table, possibly about the teapots sitting in front of them

Fridays

Stories we Share conversation 

First & Third Friday of the month, 12-2pm

Our team of volunteers will be in the Trading Station exhibition for conversation and chat with a range of handling objects related to tea and coffee.

Sit down and explore tea pots, mugs from across the world and share your tea and coffee stories. Stay for as little or as long as you would like. See where the conversation takes you.

Stories we Wear 

Second & Fourth Friday of the month, 12-2pm

Join our volunteer team in the Unpicking Couture exhibition for a drawing and conversation session.

Share your fashion stories in conversation – what do you love to wear that makes you feel good? How does high end fashion impact our lives? What stories do your clothes say about you?

All materials provided. Drop in session, stay for 10 minutes or 2 hours.

 

looking at painting

Sundays

Gallery Tour

Every Sunday 2-3 pm

Join a guided tour of our world class exhibitions and collections and discover the fascinating stories behind the art and our historic building in these expertly guided tours. Each guide has their own style and choice of artworks, so no two tour are the same.

Free, no need to book.

Tour in British Sign Language

May, July, September, November, January and March – 2nd Sunday of the month, 3-4pm

If you are a BSL user then this is the tour for you. Jennifer Little delivers a tour directly in BSL with no interpreter. Find out more about current exhibitions and discuss your reactions and thoughts about the art on display.

Book through Eventbrite. Places are limited. Meet Jennifer at the Information desk.

For more information please contact Meg Parnell

Tel: 0161 235 8855
Email: [email protected]

Older people are a large part of the gallerys audience, and we value their input and support. Manchester Art Gallery is an active member of the Age Friendly Manchester Cultural Offer consortium; we run a range of programmes within the gallery and in residential settings to enable older people and staff to connect, be creative and enjoy our collections and exhibitions.

There are three strands to our Age Friendly programme:

  • We deliver targeted work in residential and community settings, helping small groups of older people connect with our exhibitions and collections. 
  • We work in partnership with many Manchester communities to develop projects and programmes that bring the value of older people in the city to the fore. 
  • We offer a varied, regular programme that gives older people the opportunity to talk, make and de-stress using our exhibitions as a starting point.

If you’d like to find out more about programmes for older people at Manchester Art Gallery, contact Ruth Edson at [email protected]