About Manchester
Located in North West England, Manchester has been dubbed ‘the Capital of the North’ due to its size and influence. The city first grew prominent during the Industrial Revolution when it became one of the world’s first industrialised cities, thanks to the thriving cotton industry and its railway and canal networks. Today, Manchester has a thriving digital and creative industry in MediaCity, where several prominent creative businesses such as the BBC and ITV Studios produce world-class content.
In recent years, Manchester has become something of an art hub. The city is home to several art galleries that see millions of visitors pass through their doors annually. This guide will help you plan an inspiring art exhibition in vibrant Manchester.
Art Exhibit Vendor Options in Manchester
Hosting an art exhibition in Manchester is no easy feat. There’s a lot you need to consider during the all-important planning phase: the theme, the art exhibition venue, which artists to approach, installing the artworks, providing food and drink and much more. However, with the help of local vendors, including caterers, sound engineers and furniture hire specialists, you can host an inspiring art exhibition in Manchester that visitors will love!
- Catering
To ensure your guests are content during the art exhibition, you should offer them drinks and nibbles. Don’t worry, you won’t need to do this yourself. There are plenty of excellent Manchester-based caterers who will create delicious concoctions and canapes for all who attend your art exhibit.
- Music
Ambient music will make your art exhibition all the more inspiring. Therefore, you should consider hiring high-quality sound equipment. Alternatively, if appropriate, you might decide to hire a live musician to play music, such as a talented pianist. Thankfully, there are several talented musicians to choose from in Manchester, so you’re bound to find someone who fits the bill.
- Furniture hire
After wandering around the art exhibit for a while, your guests will want to find somewhere to rest their legs and perhaps socialise with other art lovers. Suppose your chosen art exhibit venue doesn’t provide all of the furniture you require. In that case, you have the option to hire additional items to ensure your guests are comfortable. Many vendors also offer furniture specific to exhibitions, such as display plinths.
Art Exhibit Vendors in Manchester
- Manchester Catering Company
The Manchester Catering Company provides fantastic cuisine for clients across the North West. The company delivers to Manchester, Cheshire, Trafford Park, Salford, Bury, Bolton and more, so wherever you decide to host your art exhibition in the Greater Manchester area, the Manchester Catering Company can help. The canape menu contains a wide selection of tantalising dishes, including Asian rice with caramelised duck, teriyaki-marinated chicken skewers, king prawns coated in lime, chilli and coriander, and Scottish smoked salmon blini with fresh dill. Sounds delicious!
- Craig Elliot
If you decide that you’d like to hire a pianist to create some ambience at your art exhibit, consider Craig Elliot. Craig is an in-demand musician from Cheshire who specialises in jazz music, a great choice if you want to create a cheerful but classy atmosphere at your event. Furthermore, Craig can play solo piano, piano with vocals or piano with saxophone, jazz guitar, drums, percussion and more—it’s all up to you!
- Manchester Furniture Hire
Servicing clients in Manchester in the North West, Manchester Furniture Hire offers fast and affordable furniture hire packages for various occasions. You can hire a wide selection of items, including chairs, tables, barriers and sofas. So if you’re looking to hire some furniture for your art exhibit, Manchester Furniture Hire can help!
Pros and Cons of an Art Exhibit in Manchester
Advantages
- Creative spirit
Manchester’s art scene has seen something of a surge in recent years. The city is home to several influential art galleries, such as the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, The Lowry, the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art and more. So if you’re looking for an inspiring art exhibition to attend after you’ve hosted your own, you’ve got plenty of places to choose from!
- Transport
Manchester has an excellent transport network, so attendees who live outside of the city can find it easy to access your art exhibition. Trains and buses run regularly, with services starting from 3 am and finishing as late as midnight.
Disadvantages
- Traffic
Like the rest of the United Kingdom, Manchester isn’t immune to traffic. The city can become very congested during the morning and evening rush hours. As a result, the guests attending your art exhibit should allow extra time to reach the venue.
- Expensive
Art exhibition spaces in Manchester are expensive to hire, especially if they are located in the city centre. However, if you have a tight budget, there are several venue options on the outskirts of the city that might be better suited to your budget.
Famous Locations in Manchester
- Heaton Park
Heaton Park is a great place to unwind after a busy day. Covering over 600 acres of land, Heaton Park is the biggest of its kind in the North West of England. So why not take a leisurely stroll along one of the park’s many walking routes, or drop in at the Heaton Park garden centre to buy a few new plants for your garden? In addition, from April to October, you can hire rowing boats and pedalos, allowing you to take in the beautiful views of the park as you traverse the water.
- Manchester Art Gallery
For art lovers, Manchester Art Gallery is a must-visit. The museum was founded in the 19th century by artists as a place to inspire Manchester residents to get in touch with their creativity and imagination. The gallery is free to enter, as it was created as a place to promote art to achieve social change. The gallery contains several fascinating collections, including 500 sculptures from antiquity to today. One interesting collection explores the production and use of tea. In this area of the gallery, you’ll find a variety of teapots, caddies, bowls, and cups and saucers dating back hundreds of years, all decorated with the most exquisite art.