Friends of Manchester Art Gallery help us do all the amazing things we do, and it’s a great way to get more from your local gallery. Here’s five reasons why you should consider becoming a Friend or Patron:
Friends fund our engagement programmes, activities that ensure all members of the community feel included
At Manchester Art Gallery we are constantly striving to work more closely with local people from all parts of the community, and our Friends help us do that. Recently this has included developing the Derek Jarman Pocket Park with older members of the LGBT+ community and in Uncertain Futures (a commission by celebrated US socially-engaged artists Suzanne Lacy) collaborating with a group of 100 local older women around their own experiences of work, pay, pensions and discrimination.
You can read more here and here.
Friends support conservation and all the unseen things that happen back of house
Friends support the busy and dedicated work of our back-of-house team, including conservation. Our team work tirelessly to conserve our collection, preparing works for display and safeguarding them for the future. You can find out about the conservation of Zephyr by op art pioneer Bridget Riley here
Friends support us to bring exceptional exhibitions to local people.
Over the past couple of years this has included the award winning Grayson’s Art Club: The Exhibition, a cathartic and joyful celebration of everyday creativity as a means of dealing with lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic; and Derek Jarman Protest! that brought the life’s work of the pioneering artist, set designer, filmmaker, LGBT+ rights activist and gardener to a new generation.
Friends receive special discounts, previews and exclusives
We love our Friends, so they are the first to find out about special events, get priority booking and invites to events and previews. They also receive a 10% discount in our shop and café, so why not enjoy a brew and a cake with a new book for less!
Friends get exclusive access to a programme of special webinars and events
Friends get access to an exclusive programme of events and webinars. Enjoy talks by Curators and visiting speakers, tours of exhibitions at the gallery and other museums in the city, and art workshops. You can watch a free taster webinar on our YouTube channel.
We know you can’t put a price on friendship, but ours starts at just £36.
