Designed by architects Pringle Richards Sharratt, Gallery Oldham was completed in its original form in February 2002.

An extension to include the £13 million Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre opened in April 2006.

Gallery Oldham has one of the busiest exhibitions programmes in the region.

The gallery holds work by local artists including Helen Bradley, William Stott and Alan Rankle and its collections include work by British artists L. S. Lowry, John William Waterhouse and Bridget Riley.

In recent years the gallery has built up a collection of studio pottery and displays ceramic works by modern makers.