Focal Point Gallery

Focal Point Gallery is South Essex’s only public contemporary art gallery, which presents an exciting and ambitious programme of free exhibitions every year, featuring both international and local artists.

Ever wondered what goes on at Focal Point Gallery?
Find out more about who we are and what we do in our brand-new video. Find out more here.

We offer a wide range of largely free workshops, talks, outdoor film screenings and offsite public art projects. We believe in building a community and a safe space to enjoy art and the creative process, where everyone is valued. Our aim is to inspire curiosity by producing and presenting thought-provoking art made today that explores our locality, sense of self and the importance of communities through investigating current concerns that resonate internationally.

We set out to enrich the cultural lives of local residents of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, by providing them access to world-class, pioneering art, and creating opportunities for them to develop their own creative skills and thinking.  We strengthen our offer through partnerships and networks, working together to co-design projects and initiatives with a belief in working openly with others.

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. In July 2017, the gallery launched Twenty One: an alternative cultural venue for live art, events and exhibitions. Located on the seafront, the venue is situated next to the acclaimed Southend Pier; the longest pleasure pier in the world.

The gallery also leads and curates Radical ESSEX; an on-going project that re-examines the history of the county in relation to radicalism in thought, lifestyle, politics and architecture.

As a local gallery with an international reach, for over 30 years Focal Point Gallery has championed Southend-on-Sea. The gallery receives regular funding from Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation and is part of Southend-on-Sea City Council.