We wanted to look forward to some of the exciting developments that are happening in and around Manchester over the next year or so. From new gallery spaces and museums to RHS gardens, the future is looking bright.
Whilst these venues are currently not open, all have digital exhibitions or tours that you can experience from home.
Manchester Jewish Museum
In spring 2021, Manchester Jewish Museum is planning to re-open its doors following a huge makeover and extension. The museum, will double in size complete with a brand-new gallery, learning studio alongside the renovated synagogue – which will also double up as a performance space.
The building will launch a new programme for the museum, with a commitment to using Jewish stories to connect to the world and to our society. The museum has more than 31,000 eclectic objects and personal histories in its collection, telling stories of Jewish Manchester as well as broader stories of migration, communities and identities that are a key part of Greater Manchester’s diverse make-up.
Science and Industry Museum
A restoration project is under way at the Science and Industry Museum which stands on one of the most important industrial heritage sites in Europe. They are conserving the historic buildings, opening up new spaces and creating a more sustainable museum to provide inspiring experiences for everyone.
The new 725 square metre flexible gallery space is due to open in Spring 2021.
Band on the Wall
The legendary Band on the Wall has been entertaining Manchester for generations with a history stretching far back to the 19th century and beyond.
Due to re-open in September 2021 Band on the Wall will have expanded into the Victorian Cocozza building to the rear of the venue. The expansion will see a new learning suite for the next generation of musicians created, as well as an enhanced archive and visual exhibition documenting the rich social and musical history of the building and the surroundings.
Manchester Museum
The exciting hello future project is designed to transform and develop Manchester Museum into becoming more inclusive, imaginative and relevant to the diverse communities they serve. They look forward to welcoming you to a bigger and more wondrous Manchester Museum.
The transformation programme includes a new Exhibition Hall, South Asia Gallery, Chinese Culture Gallery and a new Welcome area, all due to open in 2022.
Manchester Art Gallery
A new dedicated fashion gallery is set to open at Manchester Art Gallery in November 2021 as part of a permanent shift of the costume collection from Platt Hall Gallery of Costume.
The first exhibition at the new city centre fashion gallery will focus on male image and the ‘dandy’ style made popular in the late 18th and early 19th century. Bringing together fashion, art and photography, Dandy Style will meld the historic with the contemporary and will include approximately 75 extravagant outfits from the Platt Hall collection.
The Factory
The Factory is a world-class cultural space being built in the heart of the city and will be the year-round home for Manchester International Festival. It will stage one of Europe’s most ambitious and adventurous year-round creative programmes. Inspired by our city’s unmatched history of innovation, it will present bold new work by the world’s most exciting artists. A place to create, invent and play, The Factory is where the art of the future will be made.
RHS Garden Bridgewater
Opening 11 May 2021 is the RHS Garden Bridgewater, a new spectacular 154-acre garden, transforming the historic grounds of the former Worsley New Hall in Salford into a beautiful green place for the local community and visitors to enjoy all year round.
A thoughtful blend of heritage landscapes, modern and traditional garden styles, Bridgewater is already a horticultural treasure trove of stunning year-round colour and inspiration, featuring one of the largest walled gardens in the UK, vibrant spring and summer colour in magnificent borders, bee and butterfly garden and gentle walks through woodlands and meadows. Excitingly, this is just the start of the journey as the garden continues to develop and grow in future years.
Garden Bridgewater will also offer a year-round programme including art and heritage exhibitions, workshops, garden tours and talks ideal for both keen and novice gardeners, alongside Plant Shows and seasonal festivals to celebrate the joy of gardens and growing.
For more ideas on what to do and to find out what else is happening contact the visitor information team at visitorinformation@manchester.gov.uk