Visiting with your family
We have lots on offer for families, including our Clore Art Studio (opening Friday 5 July 2013), free family friendly resources and facilities and our popular cafe which offers children’s meals. You are also sure of a warm welcome from gallery staff: if you need anything, just ask.
British Sign Language Level 1 Interpreter available, please ask for Louise Thompson.
Clore Art Studio
We’ve asked families what you love doing here and now we’re finally making the changes you’ve told us you want, to explore and create art together in a fun and playful way. The Clore Art Studio will open on Friday 5 July with do it 2013, a series of written artists’ instructions to make artworks on the spot or to take away and do at home. Fun, creative, weird and wonderful, these instructions are specially selected for adults and children to follow.
Free resources for families
For those with younger children, try one of our explorer tool belts for family groups with children aged three to six. There are plenty of tools to help you explore the gallery including binoculars, magnifying glasses, spot cards and much more.
We also have new story bags for families. Each bag contains a story to read, a blanket to sit on and activities to play with. There are four to choose from; colour, line, texture and shape. Suitable for families with children aged 3-6.
On the top floor, you and the children can also try out the handling trail in the Gallery of Craft and Design, where you can feel ceramics, glass, metal and wood objects made especially for touching.
All our family resources are available from the information desk in the atrium, just ask a member of staff.
Our family friendly cafe
Our gallery cafe is great for families. Food is served throughout the day (hot dishes between 11am and 3pm).
We offer children's lunch boxes and a children's menu that includes homemade salmon fish fingers, macaroni cheese and local sausages with mash. High chairs are available, just ask a member of our cafe staff.
The art of shopping
Take home a souvenir of your visit. We have a wide range of children's books and gifts in our gallery shop, along with lots of pocket money priced gifts if the kids want to spend their pennies.
Getting around
For buggies, there's a ramp leading to the main entrance on Mosley Street. There are lifts to all floors or you can leave your buggy in the ground floor cloakroom.
For more information about physical access to Manchester Art Gallery see our access page.
Baby changing and toilets
There are baby change facilities on the ground floor in both men's and women's toilets next to the entrance hall. We also have accessible toilets in the ground floor atrium and on the first floor.
Clore Interactive Gallery
