history

Focal Point Gallery was established in 1991as the result of an Essex County Council arts initiative to establish a photographic centre for Essex. In 1998 the gallery became part of the new Unitary Authority of Southend-on-Sea. Housed on the second floor of Southend Central Library, it is now run by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Leisure Culture and Amenity Services and is a branch of Southend Museums Service. The gallery receives regular funding from Arts Council England, East and is one of its key strategic organisations.

Since its opening, Focal Point Gallery has established itself as an innovative and lively gallery with both a regional and national profile. The gallery programme has evolved to encompass work in new media and video, reflecting the changes in practice of artists working with lens-based media. The gallery shows approximately seven exhibitions each year by living artists. The emphasis is on work that explores new developments in photographic practice and challenges traditional definitions of the medium.

Focal Point Gallery is committed to developing new audiences for contemporary photographic arts and to providing opportunities for people to interact with and participate in the programme. In 1997 a grant from the National Lottery made possible the opening of a Digital Studio which is now used to support the gallery’s education and outreach programme.

In recent months an increase in funding from Arts Council England has made possible the creation of a new post of Media Education and Outreach Officer, allowing the gallery to develop a new strand of activity and to work far more closely with community and education groups in Southend. The gallery continues to build on its strengths and achievements, and to look for new partnerships and opportunities that will support the vision of providing a centre of excellence in Southend for contemporary photographic arts, accessible to a diverse range of audiences.