A small but influential gallery, Castlefield presents thought-provoking work by local, national and international artists at key stages in their career. It includes Turner Prize winners, such as Ryan Gander, among its alumni.

Winner of Art Fund’s Museum of the Year award 2015 following a major £15m redevelopment, the beautifully designed Whitworth Art Gallery is a true gem of a place. Its internationally important art collection is presented alongside a changing programme of contemporary exhibitions and outdoor sculpture, whilst the spectacular ‘café in the trees’ is well worth a visit alone.

Positioned at the very heart of the city, Manchester Art Gallery houses six centuries worth of fine art, ceramics, glass, furniture and costume, and presents a year-round programme of contemporary exhibitions by world-leading artists.

Tucked away at the end of Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter, the recently re-opened esea contemporary is the number one place for experiencing East and Southeast Asian contemporary art in the UK. Through a dynamic programme of exhibitions and accompanying events, esea contemporary aims to increase the visibility of contemporary art practices from the East and Southeast Asian communities and their diasporas.

Manchester’s much-loved multi-arts centre HOME has a fantastic programme of exhibitions throughout the year. With the multitude of styles, subjects and motifs on display throughout the different temporary exhibitions, HOME’s galleries are always worth a visit.

Saul Hay is one of the city’s foremost independent galleries, with fresh, exciting collections of works and regularly changing exhibitions. You might see something different every time you visit!

Oceans Apart is an artist studios and exhibition space located in an industrial-type building in Salford, dedicated to contemporary painting.

Once a favourite haunt of the great LS Lowry, Salford Museum & Art Gallery is a friendly destination with special appeal to families. Its collections focus on Victorian art and local social history, while its temporary exhibitions present work by contemporary artists from around the world.

This grand neoclassical building is home to temporary exhibitions of acclaimed international art, contemporary and historical collections, a beautifully-curated shop, and Tina’s tea rooms (serving excellent toasted teacakes). Well worth the tram ride.

Keep an eye on updates from the Manchester School of Art’s lovely Holden Gallery for its regularly changing, short-term exhibitions, often showcasing the School’s students’ work.