Founded in 1977 Open Eye is an independent not-for-profit photography gallery based in Liverpool.
We are one of the UK’s leading photography spaces, and the only gallery dedicated to photography and related media in the North West of England.
Open Eye has consistently championed photography as an art form that is relevant to everyone. We promote the practice, enjoyment and understanding of photography by creating challenging and entertaining opportunities to experience and appreciate distinctive, innovative photographs.
As well as presenting a programme of international, high-quality exhibitions we also house a permanent Archive containing photographs from the 1930s to the present day.
We support established and emerging artists, developing practical, critical and professional skills among photography practitioners; we also offer training and development opportunities to people within our local community.
2011 is a big year for us: In November we re-launched Open Eye in a brand new purpose-built home in one of the city’s most prestigious and prominent new developments on the Liverpool Waterfront.
Our new gallery
Our new Liverpool Waterfront gallery is based on Mann Island and is twice the size of our former Wood Street space.
The new gallery is split over two floors. On the ground floor we present our international programme of cutting edge contemporary photography. The first floor gallery will showcase changing exhibitions from our Archive of photographs. We have also commissioned a series Wall Works - large-scale graphic installations for the external facade of the gallery, which opens onto a large covered public square.
Our position at the heart of the newly regenerated Waterfront – next to the new Museum of Liverpool and a stone’s throw from Tate Liverpool and the Albert Dock – cements our commitment to the city and its vibrant cultural life.