Manchester design students revamp Gallery of Costume

MA design students at Manchester Metropolitan University have teamed up with the city’s Gallery of Costume to help reinvent the space ahead of its reopening in 2010.

MMU design students are set to undertake a new 48-week MA programme – Manchester Design Lab – as part of a sponsored programme by Manchester City Galleries to help raise the profile of its Gallery of Costume, currently closed for a £1m refurbishment.

The programme will also provide opportunities for undergraduate design students to get involved.

Manchester City Galleries has a long-standing relationship with MMU, according to Gallery of Costume senior manager Dr Miles Lambert, through its links with the university’s graduate embroidery course.

MMU approached Manchester City Galleries with the proposal.

The building works project currently under way, says Lambert, will incorporate a complete rewire and installation of a new heating system, as well as disabled access provision, ground-floor visitor facilities and a temporary exhibition space.

‘MMU students will be looking at the centenary of the gallery in terms of outside events and flagging up the reopening,’ explains Lambert.

Manchester City Council is contributing £1m to the revamp of the gallery.