Adult programmes and events

We hold regular talks, tours and workshops, designed to enhance your enjoyment of our exhibitions and support your learning journey.

Highlights tours

Volunteer guide showing group around the gallery

Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 2.00 – 3.00pm, free drop in.

Three times a week a trained guide from the Friends of Manchester Art Galleries leads an introductory tour around the gallery. Each guide has their own style and personal favourites, so it’s a different tour every time.

You can also pick up one of our free gallery trails as a first step to getting to know the gallery.

If you are short of time we’ve put together a brief selection of  our collection highlights to help introduce you to our collection which you can easily see in under an hour.

Manchester highlights trail picks out six works in our collection which relate to art and design in the city. You can visit all the works in around half an hour.

Highlight Trail            Manchester Trail

Focus tours

Volunteer guide showing group around the gallery
Usually the first Saturday or Sunday of every month, 3pm - 3.45pm, free drop in.

Take a themed tour led by a trained guide from the Friends of Manchester Art Gallery, exploring themes such as Fashion and Art, Impressionism, the influence of Africa and Asia on 20th century art and much more.

Visiting with a group

Guided tour of the gallery

There are lots of ways to get the most out of a group gallery visit anytime.

We can provide a booked guided tour of the gallery at a time that suits your group, whether you are new to the gallery or have been many times, there is always more to discover. These tours cost £5 per person (£60 minimum booking).

You can also pick up one of our free gallery trails as a first step to getting to know the gallery:

Highlights Trail
Manchester Trail

We love to know you've been with your group so don't forget to sign in at the info desk when you get here. It's also really helpful if you let us know you're coming so please contact us in advance if you can. Please contact Kate Day or Meg Parnell:

Tel: 0161235 8855 or
Email: magevents@manchester.gov.uk,

Art talks and lectures

Art bites - usually the first Wednesday of every month, 12.30pm - 1pm, no need to book

Like to talk about art? Spend your lunchtime exploring two artworks with gallery staff. Find out where to start with a painting - what to look for, how to enjoy it and what you and others think about it. Ideal bite-sized portions of art for those wet lunchtimes.

Creative courses

Participants in a gallery workshop

Making conversation - a series of three afternoon workshops taking place throughout the year, usually between 1pm - 4pm, you'll need to book.

This exiting approach to understanding and making art uses all your senses. You'll find your own approach during the three sessions of talking, experimenting with techniques and socialising at these friendly workshops.

English corner

Guided tour of the gallery
Usually the second Wednesday of every month, 1pm - 2.30pm, you'll need to book.

English corner has been carefully designed to support ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners to practise speaking and listening to English.

An experienced ESOL tutor gets all levels involved with her fun, friendly gallery-based sessions.

Groups are also welcome to book their own session. 
Contact Ruth Edson for details:

Email: r.edson@manchester.gov.uk

Want to know more?

Taking part in a workshop
For more information about any of the events listed above (and to book) please see the individual events pages via the events calendar, or contact us.

Tel: +44 (0)161 235 8888
Email: magevents@manchester.gov.uk

You can also stay updated by following us on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.

Events calendar

Events at Manchester Art Gallery
Use the events calendar to find out what’s on on any particular day.

Get involved

Guests at a Friends of Manchester Art Gallery event
Join the Friends and get more involved with the life of the gallery.