The John Rylands Library, The Whitworth

Barbara Brown

17 March 2017 - 15 March 2018
Barbara Brown was the golden girl of Heal Fabrics in the 1960s and early 1970s. Talent-spotted as a student, her designs for furnishing fabrics are some of the most striking and unusual…

Beyond Borders

20 May 2017 - 3 June 2018
Beyond Borders, explores South Asian textiles bringing together four artists working on issues around post-colonial identity, ruptured spaces, authenticity, displacement and belonging.…

Cecily Brown: Shipwreck drawings

17 November 2017 - 15 April 2018
This is an exhibition of a extraordinary series of drawings by Cecily Brown, of wrecked ships and their passengers. Brown’s practice of painterly interrogation of an existing image,…

Cozens and Cozens

16 June 2017 - 24 June 2018
Father and son, Alexander and John Robert Cozens, were influential watercolour painters of the 18th century. Alexander was a drawing master who dedicated his career to teaching young…

Daily Tours at the Whitworth

14:00 20 October 2017 - 15:00 14 February 2018
Daily tours at 2pm, free Each day our public tours are led by our Visitor Team and are an insightful view into our history, collections, exhibition spaces, architecture and park.…

English Corner

10:30 6 October 2017 - 12:00 31 May 2019
Fourth Friday of each month 10.30am–12pm Monthly conversation classes for people who are learning to speak English. Free, no need to book

John Stezaker

1 December 2017 - 24 June 2018
Using vintage photographs, old film stills, postcards and book illustrations, John Stezaker makes collages that subvert their original imagery, creating unique and compelling works…

Maeve Brennan: The Drift

30 September 2017 - 1 February 2018
Maeve Brennan: The Drift 30 September 2017 – February 2018 The Drift, is a major new film commission by contemporary artist Maeve Brennan in her first institutional solo exhibition.…

Radical Print - Printing Press Demonstration

11:15 - 11:45 11 January 2018
Twitter spats and cheeky tweets! Watch and learn about how the printing press became an instrument of defiance and rebellion during the time of the Reformation. Free, no need to book, just drop in.

Raqs Media Collective: Twilight Language

30 September 2017 - 25 February 2018
Raqs Media Collective: Twilight Language 30 September 2017 – 25 February 2018 The first major UK exhibition by Raqs Media Collective at the Whitworth and throughout Whitworth Park…

South Asian Modernists 1953-63

30 September 2017 - 15 April 2018
South Asian Modernists 1953-63 30 September – 15 April 2018 South Asian Modernists will explore the works of Pakistani and Indian artists who worked with Victor Musgrave between 1953-63.…

Steve McQueen: Ashes

22 September 2017 - 12 March 2018
Steve McQueen: Ashes 22 September 2017 – March 2019 Ashes (2002-2015), a double video projection, tells the story of a young Caribbean man known by this name. On one screen we see…

Age Friendly: Handmade

14:00 12 January - 16:00 13 July 2018
Sociable craft workshops, produced by and for older people in partnership with Age Friendly Manchester Fridays (Except during school holidays), 2pm - 4pm. Booking essential. Free …

Aperture: open photography session

10:30 - 11:30 21 January 2018
Calling all photographers! This is a fantastic opportunity to capture the beauty of our Historic Reading Room, before the Library opens to the general public. You’re welcome to bring…

Explorer tour

14:00 - 15:00 23 January 2018
Ever wondered where some of the Library doors and staircases lead to? Then this is the tour for you. Join us as we take a look behind the scenes at The John Rylands Library. Free, booking required.

Uncovering the Reformation - curator tour

11:15 - 11:45 25 January 2018
Take a trip with a curator round our fascinating exhibition, which includes a letter hand written by Martin Luther among other fascinating items. Discover how Martin Luther, Henry…

In the Land

27 January - 4 November 2018
Rethinking the form, texture and space of the natural landscape. This exhibition looks back at a period of intense experimentation in British painting and sculpture where artists,…

Toddler tales

11:00 - 11:45 1 February 2018
Find a cosy corner, pull up a cushion and listen to fun stories. Join in playtime, creating a story world of your own. Free, no need to book, just drop in. Family friendly, children 5yrs and under.

Apna: Ours Yours Everybody’s

3 February - 13 May 2018
Apna is a word used in many languages across South Asia meaning ‘ours, yours or everybody’s’. This reflects how the Whitworth shares the collection that is housed here. In the Collections…

Explorer tour

14:00 - 15:00 6 February 2018
Ever wondered where some of the Library doors and staircases lead to? Then this is the tour for you. Join us as we take a look behind the scenes at The John Rylands Library. Free, booking required.

Radical Print - Printing Press Demonstration

11:15 - 11:45 8 February 2018
Twitter spats and cheeky tweets! Watch and learn about how the printing press became an instrument of defiance and rebellion during the time of the Reformation. Free, no need to book, just drop in.

Thursday Lates: Sacred Sounds - Music of the Reformation

17:00 - 19:00 15 February 2018
Visit the Library for an evening performance bringing the music of The Reformation to life. The Reformation transformed music, with new spiritual sounds being heard all over Europe.…

Alison Wilding

16 February - 12 August 2018
Turner Prize nominee and Royal Academician Alison Wilding presents works spanning the past 20 years of her career. This new show at the Whitworth will comprise of three major sculptures,…

Aperture: open photography session

10:30 - 11:30 18 February 2018
Calling all photographers! This is a fantastic opportunity to capture the beauty of our Historic Reading Room, before the Library opens to the general public. You’re welcome to bring…

Explorer Tour

14:00 - 15:00 20 February 2018
The John Rylands Library: Ever wondered where some of the Library doors and staircases lead to? Then this is the tour for you. Join us as we take a look behind the scenes at The John…

John Rylands Research Institute and Library

Manchester Museum

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