Featured Events in Manchester in April 2024 (May Updated)

Come and look behind the scenes of Manchester’s publicly owned sculpture collection. Part exhibition, part research space, Out of the Crate delves into the un-tapped history of the collection. This is an opportunity to investigate sculpture through access to stored collections and archival material. Find out what’s in store and how we look after it, help unlock hidden stories about works we know very little about and explore how artworks might encourage conversation. We have about 400 sculptures from antiquity to the present day and, until recently, less than 5% were on display. As well as modern and contemporary works, there are 19th-century sculptures and works from earlier periods that have rarely been seen this century and are under-researched. On display are a large range of materials including marble, bronze, wood, glass, ceramic and paper, a variety of sizes and shapes and different techniques of making. From bronze medals decorated with reliefs to large-scale free-standing 3D works, you can now see around 30% of the sculpture collection here. In terms of representation, we should also consider who has and hasn’t been included in the collection.

AboutHot drinks, once expensive luxuries for the few, have enriched our lives, promoted the exchange of ideas and influenced the design of our homes.Trading Stationtraces , revealing their global histories, connections to slavery and colonisation and contemporary ethical issues. Spanning four centuries and ranging from silver, porcelain, glass, fashion, lighting, prints and painting, this showcase of exquisite and utilitarian objects asks probing questions and uncovers hidden histories.

Uncertain Futures is a project with American artist Suzanne Lacy, Communities Learning Manager Ruth Edson, two University academics and an Advisory Group of Manchester women over 50. It seeks to address the inequalities facing Manchester women over 50 relating to work and worklessness. We want to understand how interconnected issues of gender, age, labour, class, migration status, disability and race impact women’s paid and unpaid work. For the first iteration which opened in June 2021, the gallery space hosted live interviews with 100 women over 50 from all walks of life, alongside workshops, talks, and media presentations that explored equity and survival. The 100 women came together in March 2022 for a celebratory dinner. In this second iteration we reveal the development of Uncertain Futures and the initial research findings. Alongside a new film of the 100 women dinner, there are artworks and a timeline outlining the development of the project. Uncertain Futures combines art, research and activism and aims to create real social change and affect social policy.

Join Dr Chris, Dr Xand and Dr Ronx for a special mission to discover where our food goes when we eat. Prepare to be shrunk, swallowed, squeezed through and spat out of Dr Xand's digestive system with this lively adventure to better understand our brilliant bodies. From bowels to gallbladders, explore the role of each organ in the digestive journey with incredible interactive activities. Sniff out the science of how food is broken down, protect the body from bugs by fighting off bad bacteria and step up to the poo-duction line to work together to help move waste through the large intestine and out the other end. Discover inspiring stories of young people living with a range of digestive conditions and learn about the medicine helping to treat them. See fascinating objects from the Science Museum Group's collection alongside amazing cutting edge technology, like Larry the Vomiting Robot, who helped scientists understand the distribution of norovirus particles.

Created by influential designers and fashion houses, each outfit represents a groundbreaking moment in fashion and includes works by Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Azzedine Alaïa, Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Cardin, Vivienne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto, Bruce Oldfield and Alexander McQueen. This exhibition celebrates pioneering creativity and design.The two main themes of the show are: investigating the links between fashion and emotions, in the form of dopamine dressing which encourages dressing for joy, and focusing on repair and restoration, inviting us to consider the lifecycle of a garment and the way it is valued and cared for. The exhibition will reveal the recent restoration of a 1930s silk velvet jacket by Italian couturier Elsa Schiaparelli, Unpicking Couture promotes sustainable approaches to repairing and preserving much loved and well-worn clothes.

A vibrant display of new art and textiles from the Whitworth’s collection.

Taking place every two years, the Open Exhibition is the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent. Between Sat 3 Feb and Sun 28 Apr 2024, the HOME Gallery walls will be filled with 480 artworks created by you, selected by a panel consisting of art experts and community representatives. Open to all, those who already identify as artists and those who don’t, the Manchester Open brings together artwork including paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, ceramics, digital and mixed media, video, audio and more. Now in its third iteration, we welcome entries from people of any level of experience, background, including established professionals, students, graduates, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs and first-time artists. Artists will be able to submit one artwork so make sure you submit your best piece! We are delighted to once again be working with Castlefield Gallery on the selection of this year’s Manchester Open Awards. Three artists will be awarded with artist development packages managed by Castlefield Gallery and HOME. In addition, a fourth artist will receive the HOME award for a solo exhibition in HOME’s Granada Foundation Galleries, which will include in kind support and one-to-one mentoring. As always, the People’s Prize will return, giving our gallery visitors the opportunity to vote for their favourite artwork.

Forty years ago, on 20 March 1984, Castlefield Gallery opened its doors. On that day, the gallery was proud to open with a remarkable exhibition John Hoyland: Recent Paintings. This March 2024, we are delighted to launch our 40 year anniversary programme with 40 Years of the Future: Painting. This show will welcome to the gallery large abstract paintings that were either shown or are representative of works exhibited in that first year of programming. The returning artists are Sarah Feinmann, Tricia Gillman, John Hoyland, and Gary Wragg*. Each will present their past work alongside more recent paintings and will be joined by four artists based in the North West who we feel are ones to watch: Jamie Kirk, Robin Megannity, Azraa Motala and Katie Tomlinson. Over the last 40 years the continued relevance of painting and the superiority of figurative or abstract works over one another have been heavily debated. This exhibition will bring together powerful examples of both, displaying a number of different approaches to painting. 40 Years of the Future: Painting will present works which focus on the relationship between the canvas and the body, made with freehand marks exploring movement, energy and space. Other pieces in the show draw from and incorporate elements of nature photography, diaristic fragments, computer manipulated imagery and shapes made with laser cut vinyl. Some of the works on display will reference the histories and traditions of painting, reframing singular ideas around representation, identity and symbolism. Don’t miss 40 Years of the Future: Painting at Castlefield Gallery, where you will encounter somber and intense works alongside the exuberant and bombastic. Whether you are a painting enthusiast or simply curious about what painting can do, this exhibition will deliver a rich dialogue around the past, present and future of the medium, individual expression, the power of imagery and the politics of representation. *Works returning to the gallery include: Carambola (1982) by Tricia Gillman, Harvest 6.3.81 (1981) by John Hoyland and Skid (1984) by Gary Wragg.

Prepare to witness an electrifying showdown at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester between the Manchester Giants and the Sheffield Sharks on April 1st, 2024. As these two basketball powerhouses clash on the court, fans can expect a display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship like never before. The Manchester Giants, representing the city with pride, will face off against the Sheffield Sharks in what promises to be a thrilling and intense match-up. Located at Kirkmanshulme Ln, Manchester M12 4TF, UK, the venue provides the perfect setting for this epic battle. Don't miss out on this epic event that will surely keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Get ready to cheer for your favorite team as they strive for victory in this pivotal game between the Manchester Giants and the Sheffield Sharks.

Welcome to the Tour Championship Day 1 taking place in Manchester at the prestigious Manchester Central on Windmill St. This highly anticipated sports event, scheduled for April 1, 2024, promises to be a thrilling showcase of athleticism and skill. As competitors from around the world converge at this iconic venue, fans can expect a day filled with excitement and drama. The Tour Championship Day 1 is set to be a pivotal moment in the sporting calendar, where champions will emerge and legends will be made. So mark your calendars and make sure not to miss this extraordinary event that will undoubtedly leave spectators on the edge of their seats. Join us in Manchester for a day of unforgettable moments and unparalleled sportsmanship at the Tour Championship Day 1.