The city centre attraction has experienced a record year thanks to a range of spectacular exhibitions and corporate events
Over 500,000 people flocked to Manchester Art Gallery in just 12 months.
The popular attraction in the city centre has experienced a record year thanks to a range of spectacular exhibitions and corporate events.
Top figures from the art world, such as Grayson Perry and Jeremy Deller, to arts & health and learning activities, the gallery’s hugely varied programme attracted 514,852 visitors between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014.
“Our vision to present internationally important art has not only brought economic benefit to the city, but is obviously meeting local residents’ desire for higher quality programming.”
This is almost 100,000 more than the 415,785 visitors in the corresponding period in 2012-13.
The figure smashed projections and with 8,531 visitors in the first few days of 2013/14 (up to Sun 6 April), Manchester Art Gallery looks set for another bumper year, with shows including the current exhibition ‘Joanna Vasconcelos: Time Machine’ and ‘The Sensory War’.
There were increased numbers of black and minority and ethnic, disabled and returning visitors.
The gallery extended its opening times, which have been funded by the gallery’s Development Trust and has also been a contributing factor to the rise in visitors.
The gallery now opens seven days a week, since summer 2012, with a late night opening until 9pm on Thursdays.
Visitors have also flocked to take part in educational programmes as in excess of 58,000 people have attended learning sessions – 26,500 family members, 18,000 school pupils and 13,200 adult learners – delivered by around 500 volunteers.
Councillor Rosa Battle, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure for Manchester City Council, said: “The soaring success of Manchester Art Gallery underlines the appetite for art in this city.
“What’s particularly pleasing is that far from being some elitist institution, the gallery’s audience reflects the city’s population – which is unusual for galleries nationally. It’s imaginative programming and innovative engagement with communities have made it a gallery for the whole city.”
Dr Maria Balshaw, Director of Manchester City Galleries and Whitworth Art Gallery, said: “Our vision to present internationally important art has not only brought economic benefit to the city, but is obviously meeting local residents’ desire for higher quality programming. We have a fantastic range of exhibitions and events coming up this year, too, so we hope to build on the great success of 2014/15.”