The Whitworth

18/06/2026

📣 Just three weeks to go until Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven opens at the Whitworth.

Be among the first to experience this major new exhibition at our special preview evening, bringing together contemporary artists and historic textiles from Cheongju (Korea), New Delhi (India) and Manchester.

From large-scale installations to intricate embroidery and hand-spun fibres, discover stories of making, connection and exchange woven across continents and generations.

✨ Exhibition Preview
📅 Thursday 9 July
⏰ 6pm–8pm
🎟 book your free tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1989550394788?aff=oddtdtcreator

Artwork: Kaimurai, “The answers to all my prayers are in the questions I never asked,” (2025) installation view in Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven, Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 © Cheongju Craft Biennale Organizing Committee, photo by Wooil Kim.

16/06/2026

Find out more about one of the oldest viral images 🌊

Erica Baffelli, Professor of Japanese Studies at The University of Manchester, uncovers why this awe-inspiring work has captured the attention of viewers throughout history.

"Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa", also known as the "Great Wave" is one of the most well-known artworks in the world. From now until the end of July, we have two copies of the Great Wave on display for you to compare and contrast the striking details of Hokusai's work.

From August to the closing of the exhibition, we will still have a copy of the Great Wave on display for you to see.

🌊 Beneath the Great Wave: Hokusai and Hiroshige
📅 Now on until 15 November 2026
🎫 Free entry
📍the Whitworth

📹: Rhys Alexander Media

15/06/2026

This Refugee Week, we’re celebrating the Whitworth’s work as a Gallery of Sanctuary and our ongoing commitment to supporting displaced communities in Manchester.

As part of The University of Manchester’s University of Sanctuary work, we’re continuing to build partnerships, programmes and creative spaces that welcome people seeking sanctuary.

This includes our Volunteering and Civic Engagement Manager, Fee joining the panel for A University of Sanctuary Explored during Refugee Week, our Community and Family Day on Saturday 13 June, our ongoing partnership with Afrocats through Energiser funding, and creative work with displaced artists and communities, including DIPACT CIC.

Across exhibitions, family activities, workshops and public programmes, we’re proud to work alongside partners, artists and communities to make the Whitworth a place of welcome, creativity and connection.

Refugee Week runs 15-21 June.

Find out more - https://refugeeweek.org/

13/06/2026

Today’s the day. Join us at the Whitworth for Community Day.

Come along for a joyful day of creativity, music, workshops, food, family activities and community celebration across the gallery and park.

Expect drumming, hands-on making, performances, activities for all ages, and plenty of chances to get involved.

Community Day
Today, Saturday 13 June
The Whitworth
Free, booking required - There’s still time to book your free place - https://ow.ly/P9sb50Z9MlI

Come and spend the day with us

11/06/2026

🥁 Make some noise, get creative and discover something new at Community Day this Saturday.

From drumming workshops and live performances to creative play, artist-led activities and community-led projects, there’s something happening throughout the Whitworth for all ages.

Meet some of the artists, organisations and communities helping to shape Manchester, take part in free activities, and explore the galleries along the way.

📅 Saturday 13 June
⏰ 11am–4pm
📍 The Whitworth
🎟 Free

Swipe through to see just some of what’s happening on the day.

Find out more, plan your visit and book your ticket - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-whitworth-community-family-day-tickets-1989395239715

11/06/2026

Get hands-on with clay in our next creative workshop.

Join El Garrard from Blether Craft Club for an evening exploring mark-making and coloured slips, creating your own unique set of ceramic tile artworks inspired by The Practice of Liberation.

Blether Craft Club is a community arts collective running events, workshops and a monthly Craft Club at the Carlton Club in Manchester.

Ceramics Workshop with Blether Craft Club
Thursday 11 June, 6pm to 8pm
From £32, concessions available

Book your place now. Link in bio.

IMAGE CREDIT Installation view -16 April 2026Press creditMichaela Yearwood-Dan, The Practice of Liberation (2026) installation view at the Whitworth © the Whitworth, The University of Manchester. Photographer: Michael Pollard.

10/06/2026

Madge Gill’s intricate drawings and textiles open up fascinating questions about creativity, spiritual experience, mental life and artistic authorship.

Join and The Whitworth for a free online seminar exploring Gill’s remarkable work from a range of perspectives, with talks from researchers and specialists in art, textiles, psychology and visionary practice.

📅 Thursday 11 June 2026
🕙 10am to 2.30pm
📍 Online
🎟 Free

Find out more – https://masp.org.br/en/seminars/madge-gill-seminar

09/06/2026

Celebrating Festival of Libraries across Greater Manchester 📚✨
From 10–14 June, libraries across the city-region are coming together for a vibrant programme of events celebrating reading, creativity and community.

We’re resharing this lovely piece from John Rylands Research Institute and Library looking back at life behind the scenes in the 1950s and 60s so you can read the full blog.

🔎 Featuring reflections from a former member of staff, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and daily rhythms of one of Manchester’s most iconic libraries.



https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/project/manchester-libraries-festival/

What was it like to work at The John Rylands Library in the 1950s and 1960s?

In our latest blog, Dr John Hodgson interviews Brenda Scragg, the oldest living former member of library staff.

Brenda’s memories offer a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes at the library with reflections on everyday working life, the people who shaped the institution and our 1972 merger with The University of Manchester.

Read the full blog here: https://ow.ly/RmSX50Z6e5I

📸Brenda Scragg née Knowles installing an exhibition in the Historic Reading Room in the early 1960s. Image courtesy of Brenda Scragg. Photographer unknown.

07/06/2026

Next week Saturday! 📆

Join us next weekend for the Whitworth's 2026 Community Day 🥳

This year's event is inspired by Universally Manchester Festival and Refugee Week. It brings together partners, artists and communities from across Manchester to celebrate creativity, connection and belonging ✨

Get involved and discover: workshops, performances, exhibitions and conversations, share stories and experience how art can create connection, foster understanding and celebrate Manchester’s diverse communities.

📅 Saturday 13 June
⏰ 11am - 4pm
📍the Whitworth
🎫 Free entry, drop in
Book your tickets and find out more about the workshops: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-whitworth-community-family-day-tickets-1989395239715

The day highlights a variety of Whitworth led partnerships and projects including; Whitworth Young Contemporaries ✨ to the inclusive creativity of Venture Arts 🎨, the cultural vibrancy of Afrocats🥁 the reflective strength of Still Care 🍃 and the intergenerational connections nurtured through our Age-Friendly Programme 🪡 the event celebrates the many communities and programmes that shape the Whitworth.

See you there 👋

06/06/2026

Curator led exhibition tour

Join curator Olivia Heron to discover more about the exhibition, Michaela Yearwood-Dan: The Practice of Liberation.

Discover how the artist transformed the gallery space into a layered installation that explores themes of spirituality, memory, and liberation.

Thursday 18 June, 6pm - 6:30pm
Book your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1990168332055?aff=oddtdtcreator