History

Autograph was founded in 1988 in London to support black photographic practices.

From a small office in the Bon Marché Building in Brixton, Autograph- the Association of Black Photographers launched an ambitious programme of exhibitions, publications and events. Between 1988 and 2007 Autograph worked as an agency to initiate projects in gallery spaces, museums, at festivals or in public sites.

By this means it developed expertise in influencing policy and practice and was able to demonstrate alternative models of making and sharing creative work produced by artists from the UK and abroad. During this period, Autograph built an extensive repertoire of projects and project partners, delivering commissions, developing its permanent photographic

collection, publishing monographs, newspapers and essay collections. Autograph carried out strategic research and curatorial activity with large and small institutions, nationally and internationally, locating and distributing the results around the world.

In 2007 Autograph applied for charitable status and in the same year moved to a purpose-built permanent home: Rivington Place in Shoreditch. It houses Autograph’s activities and staff team, provides an important London showcase for our annual programmes of public exhibitions and events, storage for our photographic archive, a dedicated learning studio and a place to welcome and facilitate the many institutions, informal groups and individuals with whom we make and share cultural projects.