Birkenhead Park to “Aim Higher” with new statue

May 6 2009 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

£100,000 grant takes gallery closer to new Mann Island exhibition space

THE Open Eye Gallery is a step closer to realising its planned move to Liverpool’s waterfront, after receiving a £100,000 National Lottery and Arts Council award.

The internationally renowned photography gallery needs to raise around £600,000 to finance the creation of a new exhibition space, at Mann Island.

Director Patrick Henry described the grant as a “huge step in the right direction”. He said: “This takes us a step closer to our new home at the heart of the Liverpool waterfront.

“A larger, more flexible space – twice the size of our current premises – will help us to build up our artistic and engagement programmes, reach more people and raise our ambition all-round.”

The North West’s only gallery to focus exclusively on photography, Open Eye was established in 1977.

The organisation is currently awaiting the result of a grant application to the Northwest Development Agency, which it is hoped will provide a substantial portion of the remaining cost of the move from its current premises on Wood Street, Liverpool.

Sarah Fisher, the Arts Council’s head of visual art, said: “Liverpool has an exceptional offer for those interested in exhibitions, with Open Eye providing an insightful photography programme.

“The Gallery's move to Mann Island will mean it finally has the exhibition space to match international ambitions.”

The Arts Council has also awarded £5,000 to Wirral-based artist Jane Poulton to create a large-scale artwork inside Liverpool Cathedral.

PATRICK HENRY on Open Eye’s latest exhibition, Until It Hurts, at http://bit.ly/untilithurts