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About
COVID UPDATE - There is no need to book, but due to social distancing measures there may be a short wait on your arrival.
Focal Point Gallery is south Essex’s gallery for contemporary visual art, promoting and commissioning major solo exhibitions, group and thematic shows, a programme of events including performances, film screenings and talks, as well as offsite projects and temporary public artworks.
The organisation produces several exhibitions each year, in which artists and curators are given a platform to make new work in response to the gallery’s unique location on the ground floor of the town's new library and learning facility, The Forum
Focal Point Gallery also lead Radical ESSEX, a county-wide partnership project with Visit Essex, Firstsite, Essex County Council, Colchester Council and Southend Borough Council, focused on celebrating the twentieth century radical histories of the county.
Focal Point Gallery also curates and commissions an on-going programme of artist moving image, screened daily on Big Screen Southend; a permanent outdoor video facility located adjacent to our main gallery space in Elmer Square.
As a key focus of our output, Focal Point Gallery’s learning programme aims to engage people of all ages in current debates around contemporary art, and looks to extend and develop new audiences. We consider the philosophies and working methods of the artists in our exhibitions programme as the starting point for inspiration, aspiration and discussion in the community. On this basis, the gallery seeks to proactively engage with a wide range of local community groups, schools, young people and children.
Focal Point Gallery receives regular funding from Arts Council England as one of the organisation's national portfolio of funded organisations. The gallery also receives regular support from Southend Borough Council. The programme receives additional funding from other trusts and foundations and collaborates with partners including arts agencies and other organisations to co-produce projects.
Facilities
Accessibility
- Disabled access
- Disabled toilets
- Facilities for hearing impaired
- Facilities for visually impaired
- Wheelchairs available
Booking & Payment Details
- Credit cards accepted (no fee)
- Credit cards accepted (with charge)
Catering
- On-site catering
- On-site light refreshments
Children
- Baby changing facilities
- Children welcome
COVID-19 Response
- 2m distancing in place
- Clear signage
- COVID-19 measures in place
- COVID-19 risk assessment completed
- Face mask essential (provided)
- Face masks available for visitors
- Floors clearly marked for social distancing
- Hand sanitizer available to visitors & staff
- Hygiene screens in place
- Open now
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Queuing system
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
Groups
- Education/study area
- Guided tours for groups
Parking
- Parking with charge
Property Facilities
- Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
- Gift shop
- Guided tours for individuals
- Public toilets
Target Markets
- Accepts groups
- Coach parties accepted
Map & Directions
Road Directions
Travelling by train:The gallery is located on the ground floor of The Forum, which is a hundred yards from Southend Central Station. (Trains every fifteen minutes from London Fenchurch Street, Limehouse and West Ham. Journey time around fifty minutes.)Travelling by car:The Forum building is located in Elmer Square. Parking is available under the adjacent South Essex College campus and the nearby University Square building. The Forum does have a number of disabled parking spaces for use by visitors.Travelling by air:The gallery is located a five minute walk from Southend Victoria Station, with regular trains to London Southend Airport (journey time approximately five minutes). The airport serves a large number of destinations, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, Geneva and Venice.Accessible by Public Transport: Southend Central station is 0 miles away.
