Museums and Galleries in Manchester

Manchester is New Hampshire's largest city, with a 2020 census population of 115,644, and it has the cultural institutions to match. For anyone looking up museums in Manchester NH, the obvious starting point is the Currier Museum of Art. But the city's arts scene goes well beyond one building. There is a historic theatre from 1914, two theatre companies devoted in large part to Shakespeare and classic plays, a community clay studio on Elm Street and a paint-and-sip studio for a night out.

This guide covers each of them, with ideas for combining a museum visit with a show or a hands-on class. A late spring weekend is a good time to plan an arts day, and every stop on this list works in any season.

The Currier Museum of Art

The Currier Museum of Art is the anchor of Manchester's museum scene. It features European and American paintings, decorative arts, photographs and sculpture, and its collection holds more than 15,000 objects. The permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet, O'Keeffe, Calder, John Singer Sargent and Andrew Wyeth.

One of the museum's biggest draws is architecture. The Currier owns and operates two house museums designed by Frank Lloyd Wright: the Zimmerman House and the Toufic H. Kalil House. Seeing a Wright house in person is a different experience from seeing one in photographs: the scale, the materials and the way the rooms open to the landscape all make more sense when you are standing inside. Because the houses are operated by the museum, its website is the place to check how to visit them before you go.

The museum also runs public programs, including tours, live classical music and family days with activities for all ages. If you are visiting with children, a family day is an easy way to make the visit hands-on.

How to plan your visit: Give the galleries at least two hours, and more if you add a Wright house visit. Check the museum's website for current hours, admission and tour availability.

The Palace Theatre

The Palace Theatre is a historic stage venue on Hanover Street in downtown Manchester. It was built in 1914, and the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Athens Building.

Today the Palace organization runs several performing arts venues in the city. Along with the Palace Theatre itself, its venues include the Rex Theatre, Forever Emma Studios, the Spotlight Room and the Singer Center for the Arts. The Palace also runs the Palace Youth Theatre, with programs, camps and auditions for young performers.

If you plan to see a show, the Palace recommends buying tickets directly from its own website or box office rather than from third-party resellers, which it warns can charge inflated prices.

A show at the Palace pairs naturally with dinner downtown. Hanover Street and Elm Street are both close by, so it is easy to walk from a restaurant to the theatre.

Shakespeare and Classic Theatre

Manchester has two smaller theatre companies with a strong focus on classic plays, and both offer something different from a big touring production.

Stage of Fools Theatre Company brings what it describes as affordable, professional, accessible theatre to Manchester, serving Greater Manchester, Concord, Derry, Nashua and the Seacoast. Shakespeare is at the heart of its work. The company produces 90-minute Shakespeare cuts, which make the plays approachable for first-timers and families, and it runs a Shakesbeer series that pairs Shakespeare with a more casual night out. Its website lists what is now playing and ways to get involved.

theatre KAPOW describes its mission as putting stories on stage to create safe spaces to start conversations and to begin to heal communities, families and hearts. The company places emphasis on rigorous formal training for an ensemble of skilled and dedicated theatre artists. Its seasons mix Shakespeare with classical and contemporary plays, and its productions have been staged at Saint Anselm College in Manchester and at BNH Stage in Concord. The company also runs training programs and special events.

Small companies like these are a good way to see theatre up close. Check each company's website for its current season and venue, because both perform at more than one location.

Hands-On Art: Studio 550

Studio 550 Art Center is at 550 Elm Street in Manchester. It is a clay studio first, but it also offers in-depth art classes and one-day workshops in pottery, stained glass and more. Adult and youth classes cover subjects such as watercolor painting, drawing and stained glass, and the studio runs summer art camps for kids.

Studio 550 also has a community clay studio with memberships, a space it calls the Maker's Lounge, art-at-home project kits, a gift shop and custom artist commissions. It hosts birthday parties and team-building outings, too. Its stated goal is to bring people together through hands-on arts education.

For visitors, a one-day workshop is the easiest way in. It turns an afternoon in Manchester into something you made yourself, which is a good balance to a morning spent looking at art in a museum.

Paint and Sip: Muse Paintbar

Muse Paintbar is a paint-and-sip studio with a Manchester, New Hampshire location among its locations across the Northeast and beyond. Guests follow along as they paint while enjoying wine, food and drinks. Public events suit individuals and small groups, private events are available for groups of 10 or more, and the studio has themed sessions such as date nights and paint-your-pet classes.

No experience is needed, which makes Muse Paintbar a relaxed choice for a group of friends, a couple's night or a birthday.

Planning an Arts Day in Manchester

A few ways to put these together:

• Museum and a show. Spend the afternoon at the Currier Museum of Art, have dinner downtown, and see an evening performance at the Palace Theatre.
• Architecture day. Look into visiting the Currier's Frank Lloyd Wright houses and spend the rest of the day in the museum's galleries.
• Make something. Take a one-day workshop at Studio 550, then end the day at a Muse Paintbar session or a Stage of Fools show.
• Shakespeare weekend. Check the schedules for Stage of Fools and theatre KAPOW and see if either has a production on your dates.

Before you go, check each organization's website for current hours, ticketing and schedules. Performances and classes change from season to season.

FAQ

What is the best museum in Manchester NH?

The Currier Museum of Art is the city's best-known museum. Its collection of more than 15,000 objects includes works by Picasso, Matisse, Monet and O'Keeffe.

Does the Currier have Frank Lloyd Wright houses?

Yes. The Currier Museum of Art owns the Zimmerman House and the Toufic H. Kalil House, both designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and operates them as house museums.

How old is the Palace Theatre in Manchester?

The Palace Theatre was built in 1914. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Athens Building.

Where can I see Shakespeare in Manchester NH?

Stage of Fools Theatre Company focuses on Shakespeare, including 90-minute cuts of the plays, and theatre KAPOW also produces Shakespeare as part of its seasons.

Are there art classes in Manchester?

Studio 550 Art Center on Elm Street offers pottery, stained glass, drawing and painting classes, one-day workshops and a community clay studio.

Sources

• Manchester, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (largest city in NH; 2020 population 115,644): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester,_New_Hampshire
• Currier Museum of Art, Wikipedia (collection types; artists including Picasso, Matisse, Monet, O'Keeffe, Calder, Sargent, Wyeth; public programs): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Currier_Museum_of_Art
• Currier Museum of Art (more than 15,000 objects; owns and operates the Zimmerman House and Toufic H. Kalil House by Frank Lloyd Wright): https://www.currier.org
• Palace Theatre (Manchester, New Hampshire), Wikipedia (built 1914; NRHP listing as the Athens Building; Hanover Street): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_Theatre_(Manchester,_New_Hampshire)
• The Palace Theatres (venues: Palace, Rex, Forever Emma Studios, Spotlight Room, Singer Center; Palace Youth Theatre; buy tickets directly): https://www.palacetheatre.org
• Stage of Fools Theatre Company (affordable, professional, accessible theatre; areas served; Shakespeare; 90-minute cuts; Shakesbeer series): https://www.softheatre.com
• theatre KAPOW (mission; ensemble training; Shakespeare and other plays; Saint Anselm College and BNH Stage venues; programs): https://www.tkapow.com/
• Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm Street; clay studio; classes and workshops; camps; memberships; Maker's Lounge; gift shop; parties): https://www.550arts.com
• Muse Paintbar (paint and sip; Manchester NH location; public and private events; date night and paint your pet): https://musepaintbar.com/
• Commons file page for hero image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palace_Theatre,_Manchester_NH.jpg