Maria Balshaw: ‘Galleries that have collections like ours don’t usually reside in Moss Side’

Director of the Whitworth in Manchester on an exciting new chapter for the art galleryThe Whitworth in Manchester is one of the most important galleries in Britain, but until recently a would-be visitor would have been hard-pressed to notice it. Built from the same imposing red brick as the Royal Infirmary opposite , with a messy car park in front, it looks more like part of the Edwardian hospital estate than a globally significant cultural institution that started collecting Picassos long befor