Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Art Gallery has collections estimated at over 25,000. exhibits that have been collected since 1834, i.e. since the establishment of the institution, which was originally called the Royal Manchester Institution for Promotion of Literature, Science and the Arts. The resources of the exhibits were divided over time into three main collections: art (paintings and drawings, sculpture, posters, photographs), arts and crafts (furniture, toys, glass, porcelain and artistic metalwork) and costumes (an overview of what was happening in world fashion since 1600).

The Manchester fashion and clothing collection, one of the largest in the UK, is housed in the Platt Hall building (2 miles from the city center). Its beginning was the acquisition by Manchester in 1947 of a private collection of nineteenth-century costumes, assembled by Willet and Phillis Cunnington. A rich archive and library devoted to fashion were taken over with her. In the following years new departments were created, including collections of sports and workwear, a collection of over 100 dresses from the 18th century fashion and well-represented 19th century children's clothing.

In addition to the presentation of the art of previous eras, the Manchester Art Gallery organizes a number of temporary exhibitions each year, which presents contemporary art. From the beginning of its existence, the gallery has been based on funds from private donors, thanks to which it was possible to create, among others a valuable collection of contemporary furniture and lighting for such famous designers as Tord Bontje, Ron Arad and Thomas Heatherwick.