Best Arts and Culture Places in Oldham

"Manchester Art Gallery is the original useful museum, started in 1823 by artists, as an educational institution to make sure that the city and all its people grow with creativity, imagination, productivity, and health. It is free and open to all people as a place of civic thinking and public imagination, it promotes art as a means to achieve social change. It has been at the centre of city life for almost 200 years, created as the Royal Manchester Institution for the Promotion of Literature, Science and the Arts."

"This free to visit museum is one to add to your Manchester itinerary if you have kids that love art and art history. There’s plenty to learn about the city’s artists and culture. Families with younger children should make a beeline for the Clore Art Studio, which is an interactive space developed by artists."

"About:  Manchester Art Gallery is a place where everyone can discover, enjoy and learn about art. The gallery is home to a rich collection of 17th century European art, Pre- Raphaelite paintings, Craft & Design and Contemporary art. Address: Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL"

"A visit to the museum will help you explore how modern conflicts have affected the British society at large. The Imperial War Museum North is in Greater Manchester. It sits inside an unmissable aluminium building designed by Daniel Libeskind."

"The northern branch of the Imperial War Museum (obviously), this fascinating spot overlooks the Manchester Ship Canal, an apt spot if ever there was one."

"Renowned as the best example of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe, The University of Manchester’s John Rylands Library has an enthralling history. Today the library offers visitors a glimpse at one of the world’s richest collections of rare books and manuscripts, as well as hosting a range of events and exhibition, from historic art displays to international cultural celebrations. The John Rylands Library, 0161 306 0555, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH"

"John Rylands Research Institute and Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3EH - Visit now. Regularly named one of the finest libraries in the world, make like you are in Hogwarts together and be wowed by this incredible place with regular free family trails and creative sessions."

"Out of all the sights in Manchester, John Rylands Library is my favourite. This is the one place I bring all new visitors to Manchester and I just can’t get enough of this beautiful building. It was built in memory of John Rylands by his widow (very Taj Mahal) and looks like it has been plucked straight out of a Harry Potter novel."

"From 19 May – 1 July, The Whitworth is open for film screenings of its new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors. The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from 19 May to 1 July. The rest of the gallery remains closed while the next exhibitions are installed, following COVID-19 safety guidelines."

"Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 4WU - Visit now. Salford Museum and Art Gallery is a friendly city museum close to Peel Park with special appeal to families; the highlight is Lark Hill Place, a charming Victorian Street installation. Salford Museum and Art Gallery began a phased reopening at the beginning of August."

"Castlefield Gallery established by artists in 1984, nestled in the heart of Manchester’s Knott Mill area. It is Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery dedicated to the advancement of contemporary visual art and artists. They are focused on developing visual artists’ practices and careers whilst creating opportunities for the public to engage with the art of their time."

"One of the city's hidden gems, Castlefield Gallery will be able to show its Obstructions exhibition in real life for the first time - for five days only. Obstructions brought together 15 artists from across Greater Manchester during lockdown. The gallery is open from May 19 and you can see more at castlefieldgallery.co.uk."

"Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art is a unique art gallery with a year-round programme of socially engaged exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. They have over 30 years experience of working with emerging and established artists to provide a space for conversation, debate, and cross-cultural exchange. They are the go-to place to discover new artists and explore relevant global issues from different international perspectives."

"CFCCA reopens with a duo of exhibitions investigating and unpicking themes of belonging, identity and citizenship in a globalised and hyper-connected society. Housed in CFCCA’s Northern Quarter galleries, the exhibitions are just a few minutes’ walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre. Multiplicities in Flux brings together works by contemporary artists Grace Lau and Eelyn Lee in a dialogue around identity and belonging."

"Manchester's Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art will reopen both of its galleries on Wednesday May 19. Exhibitions Multiplicities in Flux and Autopsy of a Home, which originally opened in October, will be back until June 13. Booking is advised at cfcca.org.uk but walk-ups are welcome."

"Contemporary Six – The Gallery is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of the city centre of Manchester opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010 by Alex Reuben, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new visitors and explorers to the city. Specialising in original paintings, landscapes, portraits, abstracts handmade prints, sculptures, and ceramics."

"From Darrell Evanes’ scrap metal sculpture to Matthew Bourne’s natural abstracts, Contemporary Six’s repertoire is all encompassing. Having outgrown its former location of Royal Exchange Arcade, the gallery - founded by Alex Reuben in 2010 - now occupies an airy space on Princess Street, where it represents around 40 artists. Best feature: Contemporary Six offers the Own Art Scheme, which allows buyers to pay in monthly instalments"

"If you’re looking for locally crafted ceramics, prints, jewellery or art work, Manchester Craft and Design Centre is the perfect place to discover something unusual. Located in a former Victorian fish market, the beautifully restored building is home to two floors of studios, where artists, potters and craftspeople create and sell their work in one space. There’s also a great café on the ground floor and you can often discover interesting art installations or musical performances there."

"Manchester Craft and Design Centre is sometimes overshadowed by more popular sights, however, I think it’s a Manchester spot that shouldn’t be missed. Housed in a former fish market building, the Craft and Design Centre is now a hub for…you guessed it, craft and design. Independent entrepreneurs hire studio space where they can also sell their goods."

"In the heart of the Northern Quarter, you’ll find this hub of creativity inside a former Victorian fish market. Local artists and creatives have set up studios inside, creating and selling art, prints, sculptures, jewellery and ceramics from their own unique spaces. There’s also a cute little cafe and occasional musical performances and exhibitions."

"An interactive journey back in time, the Stockport Air Raid Shelters offers a glimpse into how people lived during the wartime blitz. Explore the labyrinth of tunnels filled with displays, posters, recreated living and sleeping areas, and a bunker, all accompanied by an audio guide highlighting the cultural, political, and social aspects living in the shelters. I Opening Times: Tuesday-Friday 1-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm."

"The Stockport Air Raid Shelters are a jolting walk back in time near Manchester. Located about 6 miles from the main Manchester area and in great Manchester, this place is an interesting, short excursion from the city Centre. The place will transport you into a dark time- the Britain of the 1940s during the war."

"Stockport Air Raid Shelters, Great Underbank, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1NE - Visit now. Stockport museums are beginning a phased reopening of their sites. The first to re-open were Bramall Hall and Stockport Air Raid Shelters."

"You can walk along the canal, through the Castlefield Urban Heritage Park on your way to the Museum of Science and Industry. Castlefield Urban Heritage Park. Admire the old industrial buildings, soak up the atmosphere of the canal, and see how Manchester used to be in years gone by."

"Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar, 22b, The Corn Exchange, Corporation St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3TR - Visit now. Salvi’s is one of a kind. It stands apart in the Corn Exchange, hidden underground, far removed from all the chain restaurants and smash-and-grab diners."