Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Platt Bridge

"One of five Imperial War Museums in the UK, Manchester’s addition to the repertoire is located in Media City. The striking aluminium-clad building houses a timeline of Britain’s conflicts since the First World War, drawing on different elements of war such as the involvement of women and the impact of science and technology on how wars are fought. Alongside the permanent exhibits are plenty of films and photographs showcasing what life was like during these conflicts.Imperial War Museum | © the yes man / Flickr"

"IWM North highlights the impact of war on people's lives through their stories and artefacts, plus military vehicles and aircraft and audio-visual displays. There are a range of special exhibitions, educational events and children's activities on offer…"

"Extended due to lockdown, this extraordinary exhibition features 200 photographs of Liverpool, the north and international conflict, captured over the last 60 years of Don McCullin's career. Liverpool Biennial exhibition. Featuring new commissions and existing works by Ines Doujak and John Barker, Linder, Jutta Koether and Ebony G Patterson, alongside works from Tate’s collection including Judy Chicago, Nicholas Hlobo, Martine Syms, Anu Põder and Ithell Colquhoun."

"The Tate is one of the most intimate galleries in Liverpool where you can get close and personal with some of the biggest names in the world of art. You will not be charged to enter the gallery however; some special exhibits might cost you something. Exhibits normally change regularly therefore, it’s important to check online to have an idea of what will be displayed."

"After an extensive renovation project, the Whitworth is the best place in the city to view a collection of exciting contemporary art. Keep your eyes peeled on their exciting events calendar, pay a visit to their fabulous restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding park and pick up a picnic basket of art supplies to spark your own creativity."

"From 19 May – 1 July, The Whitworth is open for film screenings of its new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors. The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from 19 May to 1 July. The rest of the gallery remains closed while the next exhibitions are installed, following COVID-19 safety guidelines."

"Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 4WU - Visit now. Salford Museum and Art Gallery is a friendly city museum close to Peel Park with special appeal to families; the highlight is Lark Hill Place, a charming Victorian Street installation. Salford Museum and Art Gallery began a phased reopening at the beginning of August."

"A glorious sister venue to London's Natural History Museum (both designed by Liverpool-born architect Alfred Waterhouse), it's worth a visit to the University of Liverpool's gallery and museum for its exterior alone. The Grade II-listed building's gothic terracotta design led to the coining of the term "red-brick" university and is a shining example of Victorian prowess; more so now after a recent £8.6m refurb. Expect a really creepy museum (fossils, taxidermy, skeletons and curios from the university's 130-year history), a special collections gallery (including the largest display of paintings and prints by wildlife artist John James Audubon outside the US), and a regularly revolving programme of contemporary art exhibitions."

"Art lovers should also check out The Victoria Gallery and Museum. Located in a spectacular red-brick building at the University of Liverpool, the museum - known locally as the (V&M) - includes large collections of sculptures and ceramics, along with an impressive array of paintings by the likes of Lucian Freud and J."

"A museum that beats all the traditional boring museums around the world, the Victoria Gallery Museum is known for its fun and interesting exhibits which truly captivate the young and old alike!"

"Contemporary Six – The Gallery is a leading independent art gallery located in the heart of the city centre of Manchester opposite the beautiful Town Hall. Established in 2010 by Alex Reuben, the gallery is known for offering a warm and friendly welcome to art enthusiasts, collectors, and new visitors and explorers to the city. Specialising in original paintings, landscapes, portraits, abstracts handmade prints, sculptures, and ceramics."

"From Darrell Evanes’ scrap metal sculpture to Matthew Bourne’s natural abstracts, Contemporary Six’s repertoire is all encompassing. Having outgrown its former location of Royal Exchange Arcade, the gallery - founded by Alex Reuben in 2010 - now occupies an airy space on Princess Street, where it represents around 40 artists. Best feature: Contemporary Six offers the Own Art Scheme, which allows buyers to pay in monthly instalments"

"Key to the redevelopment of the Ropewalks quarter of Liverpool, and catering for the needs of film and art lovers since 2003, FACT was founded on a remit to "use the power of creative technology to inspire and enrich lives". Tucked behind the bohemian Bold St, this futuristic-looking space – made up of three floors of galleries, cinema screens, a cafe and a bar – celebrated a decade since its launch, in which time it has played host to pioneering work from Pipilotti Rist, Nam June Paik, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Kurt Hentschläger. 88 Wood Street, fact.co.uk."

"Arts space and cafe LEAF was included in Guardian Travel's first "budget eats" guide to Liverpool, in 2008, and is still going strong, albeit at a new address. In the meantime, owner Natalie Haywood has branched out at the media arts centre, FACT, and at Oh Me Oh My, a weekday cafe in a grand, Grade II-listed property opposite Liverpool's totemic Liver Building. LEAF and FACT are natural allies – way beyond their preference for upper case logos – and last year cemented their union when LEAF opened the Garden cafeteria at the centre."

"FACT, 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 4DQ - Visit now. Since opening in 2003, Liverpool’s FACT (AKA the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) has supported artists working with new media, commissioned countless (and occasionally seminal) artworks and dedicated itself to digital media. Three arthouse cinemas screen both popular and cult films, two galleries show new work, and other spaces within the building are regularly used for digital and new media events."

"CFCCA is the UK leader in Chinese visual culture, with a reputation for debut solo exhibitions and a roster of internationally-renowned artists; impressive considering that, three decades ago, it was just a series of events in Manchester’s Chinatown. As Manchester’s Chinese population is second only to London’s, the centre’s heritage is particularly important; now represented in a new archive and library. Best feature: A vibrant events schedule, spanning film screenings to workshops and even Mandarin lessons"

"CFCCA reopens with a duo of exhibitions investigating and unpicking themes of belonging, identity and citizenship in a globalised and hyper-connected society. Housed in CFCCA’s Northern Quarter galleries, the exhibitions are just a few minutes’ walk from the Arndale Shopping Centre. Multiplicities in Flux brings together works by contemporary artists Grace Lau and Eelyn Lee in a dialogue around identity and belonging."

"Manchester's Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art will reopen both of its galleries on Wednesday May 19. Exhibitions Multiplicities in Flux and Autopsy of a Home, which originally opened in October, will be back until June 13. Booking is advised at cfcca.org.uk but walk-ups are welcome."

"Come to Manchester Art Gallery, conveniently nestled in the centre of the city, if you want to take a walk through Manchester’s art history. Here you will find works that go back to the pre-Raphaelite period as well as works by famous local artists like Lowry (see more below). It’s most certainly one of the best things to do in Manchester if you love a big slice of culture."

"For an interesting and fun day out for the whole family, head to the Manchester Art Gallery. There is so much to see and do, especially for families, including workshops, story bags and also baby changing facilities. Perfect for an hour’s visit or a full day, you’ll see the stunning collection of fine and decorative art."

"A historic house based in Aigburth in Liverpool, Sudley House was built in 1824 and now contains the collection of former resident George Holt. The museum and art gallery is known for having paintings by Turner, Rossetti, Holman Hunt and many others."

"Sudley House is a well preserved Victorian merchant house located just south of Liverpool city centre. With a unique collection of artwork, this house has been lovingly restored and is now dedicated to the people who lived there."

"The only gallery dedicated to photography and related media in the north-west, Open Eye is increasingly an essential part of Liverpool's already impressive art offering. Founded in 1977, it remained something of a hidden gem until its move in 2011 to a purpose-built home on the waterfront. As if to consolidate the move, a new artistic director, Lorenzo Fusi (previously curator of Liverpool Biennial), was appointed in 2013 and has already signalled his intent with some progressive programming."

"The Open Eye Gallerywas first established in 1977 and is housed on the waterfront of Liverpool. This not-for-profit gallery houses a collection of contemporary of photography, with workshops taking place. Promoting up-and-coming young photographers, anyone who steps foot in this gallery will be impacted by the powerful images and inspired to chase their photographer dreams."

"Independent and not-for-profit, the Open Eye is the only gallery of its kind in the North West of England. Appropriately housed in an inspiring, modern building on Mann Island, it showcases both well-known and emerging photographers. Don’t overlook this gallery, it’s well worth a visit."

"After an extensive renovation project, the Whitworth is the best place in the city to view a collection of exciting contemporary art. Keep your eyes peeled on their exciting events calendar, pay a visit to their fabulous restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding park and pick up a picnic basket of art supplies to spark your own creativity."

"From 19 May – 1 July, The Whitworth is open for film screenings of its new exhibition, Imran Perretta: the destructors. The Whitworth Café, Art Garden and Collections Care Centre are also open from 19 May to 1 July. The rest of the gallery remains closed while the next exhibitions are installed, following COVID-19 safety guidelines."

"One of the city's hidden gems, Castlefield Gallery will be able to show its Obstructions exhibition in real life for the first time - for five days only. Obstructions brought together 15 artists from across Greater Manchester during lockdown. The gallery is open from May 19 and you can see more at castlefieldgallery.co.uk."

"Established by artists in 1984, Castlefield Gallery is Manchester’s first public contemporary visual art gallery dedicated to the advancement of contemporary visual art and artists."

"The only gallery dedicated to photography and related media in the north-west, Open Eye is increasingly an essential part of Liverpool's already impressive art offering. Founded in 1977, it remained something of a hidden gem until its move in 2011 to a purpose-built home on the waterfront. As if to consolidate the move, a new artistic director, Lorenzo Fusi (previously curator of Liverpool Biennial), was appointed in 2013 and has already signalled his intent with some progressive programming."

"The Open Eye Gallerywas first established in 1977 and is housed on the waterfront of Liverpool. This not-for-profit gallery houses a collection of contemporary of photography, with workshops taking place. Promoting up-and-coming young photographers, anyone who steps foot in this gallery will be impacted by the powerful images and inspired to chase their photographer dreams."

"Independent and not-for-profit, the Open Eye is the only gallery of its kind in the North West of England. Appropriately housed in an inspiring, modern building on Mann Island, it showcases both well-known and emerging photographers. Don’t overlook this gallery, it’s well worth a visit."