We want everyone to be able to enjoy Manchester Art Gallery. We’re working hard to improve access for all visitors including visitors who are deaf and hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy Manchester Art Gallery. We’re working hard to improve access for all visitors including visitors who are deaf and hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted.
There are three disabled parking spaces on Nicholas Street and George Street.
Our main entrance is on Mosley Street. There is a ramp leading from Nicholas Street with handrails.
There is a wheelchair lift and stairs at the entrance on Princess Street. This entrance has an automatic revolving door. ** Due to maintenance from Monday 24 February to Monday 3 March, the entrance to the Princess Street will be closed.**
If you need any assistance when arriving, please contact our Visitor Team on 0161 235 8888 who are happy to help.
One manual wheelchair is available for you to borrow upon your arrival.
Two glass lifts in the main atrium provide access to the galleries on the first and second floors.
There are accessible toilets on the ground floor and on the first floor.
Baby changing facilities are located in our Family toilets on the ground floor.
Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Information Desk.
We have benches in most galleries, some galleries have comfy armchairs too. We also have a number of light, portable stools available near our lifts on the ground floor.
There are regular tours of the gallery in British Sign Language, please see our What’s On calendar for more information.
You can book a British Sign Language interpreter for any of our events. This service is free but please book at least two weeks in advance by contacting Meg Parnell.
Email: meg.parnell@manchester.gov.uk
There are large print guides (in a font size of 17 points) in the galleries to give you more information about the works on display.
Our events programme includes activities specially designed for blind and partially sighted visitors. We run a monthly workshop Making Conversation which is all about exploring art using all of your senses.
We hold regular curators tours with audio description and we can arrange for any of our events to be audio described for you. This service is free but please book in advance by contacting Meg Parnell.
Large Print Label Guides:
Gallery 2 – Friends, Family and Other Animals
Gallery 3 – What is Manchester Art Gallery?
Gallery 8 – Holly Graham: The Warp/The Weft/The Wake
Gallery 11 – What’s New? Collecting For Manchester
Gallery 13 – Unpicking Couture
Gallery 14 – Room to Breathe
Guide and assistance animals, including assistance dogs in training, are welcome at the gallery.
Water bowls for guide and assistance animals are available at the information desk, just ask and our Visitor Team will be happy to help.
If you would like to visit with an emotional support animal, please contact the Visitor Team at vtcoordinators@manchester.gov.uk prior to your visit to discuss your request, we will not be able to admit emotional support animals without prior approval.
A quiet area for prayer or reflection is available by request. Guests may reserve this space ahead of their visit or inquire about it upon arrival. Prayer mats are provided. This temporary arrangement is in place as we work towards creating a permanently accessible space.