Museums in City Centre - St Peter's Square & Oxford Street (Manchester)

The Portico Library & Gallery

Founded in 1806, this beautiful Georgian private subscription library, right in the heart of the city centre, is perfect if you are looking for somewhere to reflect in peace and quiet, away from the busy world outside. Its 25,000 plus rare volumes are mainly 19th-century fiction, travel, history and biographies. The Portico Library requires subscription, but the Gallery is open to the public for free from Mondays to Fridays between 9.30p to 4.30p. Art and book exhibitions are held here on a monthly basis.

Cube

A non-exclusive membership organisation, Cube targets the architectural and interior design industries for funding and its art reflects some of the more interesting work produced by these professions in Manchester.The main bulk of the work is displayed in sections 1, 2 and 3, the Now section previewing more outlandish items. There is also a children's gallery that attempts to explain these art forms to youngsters in a fun way. The work is exhibited in six week blocks and there is also a seminar space available for local companies to hire.

Manchester Art Gallery

Within its impressive neo-Grecian surroundings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics and decorative arts abound - including an internationally famous collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Landscape painters such as Stubbs, Gainsborough and Turner can also be found here. Other family-orientated facilities will include a cafe, restaurant, gift shop, information centre and children's gallery. the gallery has recently undergone a GBP25 million refurbishment. Admission is free.

The Gallery Manchesters Art House

This exciting private gallery offers a wide range of paintings and prints for sale or hire and runs regular exhibitions for purchase. It also stocks related gifts such as jigsaws of famous and favourite artworks, handmade designer greetings cards and a framing service which is available on request. They also run a vibrant Friends of the Gallery scheme which offers exclusive access to openings along with invitations to fine wine tastings and many other related events.

The Colin Jellicoe Gallery

At The Colin Jellicoe Gallery visitors can see a variety of modern art from Northwest-based artists. The exhibitions include a wide range of modern and figurative pieces in the mediums of drawing, painting and graphics.A popular annual event to look out for is the Summer Exhibition, which features a large number of different artists and styles in rotation throughout the summer months.

Goethe-Institut Manchester

The famous Goethe-Institut Manchester is a German cultural centre. It has well over 40 years of experience in teaching the language in every corner of the world with a wide range of courses at all levels offered, as well as a variety of special interest programs.The centre also runs many popular events throughout the year including films, seminars, concerts, theatre, readings, art and photographic exhibitions and lectures on all aspects of German history, modern culture and society.