Autograph

Who we are

Since 1988, Autograph has been shaping a more inclusive future in the visual arts and beyond. We champion artists who explore race, representation, human rights and social justice through photography. Autograph’s work ensures these stories are seen and celebrated, deepening understanding of ourselves and others.

Every year we engage hundreds of thousands of people locally, nationally and globally at our gallery in London, digitally and through projects taking place in partner spaces.

We achieve our mission through:

Commissining
Commissioning artists and writers; making and sharing exhibitions and publications both in the UK and internationally.

Sharing
Sharing our unique photography collection which is used for research, learning, participation, and lending purposes.

Supporting
Supporting professional development of artists through providing advice, information, mentoring and selective hosting of projects.

Producing
Producing talks, events and workshops through which people can listen, learn engage in debate and take part in creative making.

Communities
We form creative, strategic partnerships to respond to particular community needs and opportunities.

We are a space to see things differently. Autograph is an inclusive space where the myriad stories of marginalised people are valued and cared for, presented, published, discussed, shared and spread. We hope that through an encounter with an Autograph project people can discover:

• How photography can speak to many different experiences.
• Learn about subjects and stories left out of historical and contemporary visual records.
• Recognise their own potential ‘agency’ in making and looking at images every day.

Our culture and values

To foster informed enquiry and personal creative development, promote respect for and appreciation of difference, encourage empathy and reciprocity in our partnerships and interactions and act ethically towards people and the environment.

These values inform our professional practice, activities and how we work both internally and externally.