We have several permanent and temporary exhibitions and displays for you to enjoy when you visit Rochdale Town Hall.
- Exhibition name: The Story of Rochdale Town Hall
- Where to find this exhibition: The Welcome Gallery
- About this exhibition: The Welcome Gallery tells the story of Rochdale from the past to the present day, and what Rochdale means to local people. You can see things on display from the recent restoration and objects from key milestones in Rochdale’s history. Get hands-on with our interactive displays and swat up on your local knowledge.
- Exhibition name: A Bright Sky
- Where to find this exhibition: The Bright Hall
- About this exhibition: Don’t forget to look up in the Bright Hall and you will see our co-created community commission with artist May Wild Studio. Taking inspiration from participant's artworks and stories, the 8 panels represent each of the local communities involved.
- Exhibition name: Temporary
- Where to find this exhibition: Mayor's Reception Room
- About this exhibition: May Wild Studio worked with participants from Burnside Community Centre to create a sculptural artwork, inspired by the decorative interiors of the Mayor’s Reception Room. This sculpture reflects our natural world and how we need to preserve it.
- Exhibition name: The Big Dig
- Where to find this exhibition: The Martlet Kitchen
- About this exhibition: May Wild Studio worked with students from St Margaret’s Primary School to co-create a series of sculptural artworks, taking inspiration from the Big Dig’s archaeological finds. The four artworks reference items used for eating and drinking and are formed from hundreds of ceramic pieces embedded in jessamite.
- Exhibition name: Two Dragons and We Are All The Same
- Where to find this exhibition: The Small Exchange
- About this exhibition: Now on display are 2 intricate textile pieces produced by artist Alison Greyer. One emphasises nature, community and remembrance, made in collaboration with the Middleton Arts and Crafts group and the other takes inspiration from students at St Mary’s Primary School.
- Exhibition name: Room Roundels
- Where to find this exhibition: Mayor's Reception Room
- About this exhibition: 2 new stained glass roundels celebrate the restoration of the Town Hall. Glass artist Louise Watson drew inspiration from local children who produced bright, bold, coloured drawings, which have informed the design of the stained glass roundels you can see here today.
- Exhibition name: Journeys
- Where to find this exhibition: The Grand Staircase
- About this exhibition: ‘Life is a journey’ or so the saying goes. in collaboration with Beggars Belief and local community groups, this glass artwork, inspired by the restoration of Rochdale Town Hall, was created by artist Louise Watson.
- Exhibition name: The Fabric of Rochdale
- Where to find this exhibition: The Exchange
- About this exhibition: Breaking barriers, ‘The Fabric of Rochdale’ is a celebratory, binaural sound piece, co-created with the diverse communities of 4 of the townships of Rochdale. It encompasses the spirit of the cooperative, exploring the hopes, dreams and lives of the people who call Rochdale their home.
- Exhibition name: Outside Inside
- Where to find this exhibition: The Mayor's Parlour
- About this exhibition: Artist Sally Gilford worked with Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association and Heywood Youth Club to co-create a large woollen rug, which runs along the historic sideboard and cascades onto the floor. Inspired by depictions of nature, the bold, colourful creation brings the ‘outside inside’ which is an extension of the room's decor.
- Exhibition name: Costume
- Where to find this exhibition: The Old Council Chamber
- About this exhibition: Discover a textile artwork by Salford Slow Fashion, co-created with the BASA Community Group and cared for children group, run by Rochdale Youth Service. Inspired by clothing traditionally worn by communities who worked in the Lancashire Mills, it speaks for those who would not have always been represented in Rochdale Town Hall.