Visit
Stills is a centre for photography based in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. With over 40 years of history, we’ve got a lot of experience to share. Our exhibitions, production facilities and range of creative, educational opportunities allow anyone to discover, enjoy and understand photography.
STILLS: CENTRE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
23 Cockburn Street
Edinburgh
Scotland EH1 1BP
GALLERY
Tuesday—Saturday, 11am—5pm
PRODUCTION FACILITIES
Tuesday, 11am—5pm
Wednesday, 11am—9pm
Thursday, 11am—9pm
Friday, 11am—5pm
Saturday, 11am—5pm
Planning a visit to Stills? View our visual guide here.
Explore more and hear insights about Stills through our digital guide on Bloomberg Connects. The free arts and culture app takes you behind the scenes with exclusive audio, highlights from our archive, and more. You’ll also find must-read content to help you get the most out of Stills.
History
Stills was established in 1977. Since that time it has become a champion for the important and powerful role that the medium of photography plays in the world today. We are currently working to make our archive accessible for research, here are a few items that we’ve uncovered so far.
1976
Creative Camera was a monthly fine art and documentary photography magazine published between 1964—2001. This edition featured work from the “Recent American Still Photography” exhibition at The Fruitmarket Gallery in 1976. The exhibition was organised by the Scottish Photography Group, which went on to become Stills. Robert Adams, Lewis Baltz, Harry Callahan and Garry Winogrand were only a handful of amazing photographers included in the show.
1977
This exhibition book is from Angus McBean “A Darker Side of the Moon”, the first exhibition held at Stills in 1977 at our original location on the High Street. Angus McBean was a prolific theatrical photographer associated with the Surrealist movement. “The camera’s love of her face is entirely serious and magical, and the unreality of the composition – she rises like a goddess out of the earth, her perfection emphasised by classical sculptures on columns that recede over the sands towards a painted sky – is not just a joke. It is also a quasi-religious recognition that she is not, after all, like you and me but inhabits another, dreamlike world created by the adoring eyes of cinema-goers.” Jonathon Jones, The Guardian, June 2006
1978
In 1978, Paul Strand’s “The Hebridean Photographs” was exhibited at Stills. This body of work, created in the 1960’s, documents Hebridean life, from people, to labour, to home-life, to landscape. We have a copy of this exhibition book in Stills’ eclectic, public-access, photographic library. “It may be unusual in an exhibition […] to include a small and seemingly alien group of images. We have assumed however that Strand’s earlier work may be unfamiliar to many people and that some brief introduction may be of value. Despite the changes of style and interest apparent in Strand’s work over the years, there is also an underlying consistency, an adherence to a creed established early in his career” Richard Hough, Stills Director 1978.
1982
In 1982, Stills exhibited work by Man Ray, a famous Dada and surrealist artist. These objects display some behind the scenes happenings of how galleries operate; deciding where certain works are to be hung, and sending out press releases are still common practice today.
1987
Did you visit our Jo Spence exhibition in 2016? This flyer from our archive shows that Stills already understood the importance of Spence’s work, way back in 1987. The “Women in Photography” event organised by Stills lists Jo Spence as a speaker alongside Val Williams, Grace Robertson and Maggie Murray. Sadly Spence had to pull out due to ill health, a final draft of the flyer reveals she was replaced by Dr. Roberta McGrath, an Edinburgh based photography scholar and lecturer.
1988
This cassette is a recording of Paul Graham giving an artist talk in 1988 when Stills exhibited Graham’s Troubled Land series. In this recording he talks about his images and working practice as well as some practical tips and advice about making a living as a photographer.
1994
“A Stuggy Pren” was an exhibition in 1994 which coincided with the release of a collaborative book between photographer Katrina Lithgow and poet Ivor Cutler. Featuring fascinating portraits of Cutler, taken by Lithgow, this exhibition elaborated on the dynamic collaborative relationship between both artists.
Our Team
DIRECTOR
Vivienne Gamble
vivienne.gamble@stills.org
PROGRAMME MANAGER
Cheryl Connell
cheryl.connell@stills.org
CREATIVE LEARNING MANAGER
Claire Cochrane
claire.cochrane@stills.org
FINANCE CONTROLLER
James McKenzie
finance@stills.org
TECHNICIAN
Joseph Wilson
joseph.wilson@stills.org
MARKETING AND VISITOR COORDINATOR
Daisy Mason
daisy.mason@stills.org
PROJECT COORDINATOR (CREATIVE LEARNING)
Louise McLachlan
louise.mclachlan@stills.org
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
info@stills.org
TECHNICAL MANAGER
Evan Thomas
evan.thomas@stills.org
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (MATERNITY LEAVE)
Caitlin Serey
caitlin.serey@stills.org
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (MATERNITY COVER)
Monica Sutcliffe
monica.sutcliffe@stills.org
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE & TUTOR
David Grinly
david.grinly@stills.org
TECHNICIAN
Joseph Glover
joseph.glover@stills.org
LIBRARY COORDINATOR
Connie Leroux
connie.leroux@stills.org | library@stills.org
PRODUCTION FACILITIES ENQUIRIES
resource@stills.org
Board Members:
Andrew McNiven (Chairperson)
Sham Sandhu
Antony Sojka
Jane Martin
Alicia Bruce
Residents
There are no current residency opportunities.
Policies
As a charitable organisation Stills is committed to and conforms to various policies.
Green Arts Initiative
Here at Stills we believe in our responsibility to demonstrate best practice in the environmental sustainability of all our activities. In turn, we aim to inform and influence audiences, staff, stakeholders, suppliers and partners to adopt a responsible approach toward the impact of their operations on the environment.
We are proud to be part of Creative Carbon Scotland’s Green Arts Initiative! One of many projects: In 2019 Stills library transformed into an urban green space. Members of the public were invited to learn about native wildflowers in our exhibition and participatory workshops.
Read more about The GreenRoom here.
Vacancies
Stills seeks new Board members
Application deadline: Friday 27 February, 5pm
Stills is a centre for photography with a long-standing commitment to supporting the advancement, practice, enjoyment, exploration and understanding of photography. We deliver an annual programme of exhibitions and events, the Stills School education programme, and provide access to high-quality photographic production facilities and courses.
To ensure our Board continues to benefit from a broad range of skills, perspectives and experience, we are currently seeking new Board members.
Previous board experience is not required. We welcome interest from individuals of all ages, career stages and backgrounds, and particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in the creative and cultural sectors. Our priority is to develop a Board that better reflects the diversity of our audiences and the wider society we serve.
Skills and experience sought
We are especially interested in candidates who can bring expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Business and general management
- Auditing, accounting or financial management
- Legal expertise (including charity, governance or employment law)
- Buildings and property management
- Personnel, HR or organisational development
Experience in the visual arts or photography is welcomed but not essential.
The role
As a member of the Stills Board of Directors, you will play a vital role in the governance and strategic direction of one of Scotland’s key visual arts organisations. Stills is a registered charity and has been part of Creative Scotland’s Regular Funding portfolio since 2018.
Board members serve in a voluntary capacity. The minimum commitment is attendance at four Board meetings per year (held either in person or online), along with participation in an annual strategy day with the staff team (usually in September). Board appointments are typically for a four-year term, with the option of a two-year extension. Applications are welcome from local, national and international candidates who can meet this level of commitment.
What Stills offers
- A comprehensive Board induction and introduction to Stills’ premises and staff team
- Flexible meeting arrangements, with the option to attend in person or online
- Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses
- Complimentary access to Stills courses and production facilities
- The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the strategic development of a leading visual arts organisation
How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience to: Cheryl Connell cheryl.connell@stills.org
Closing date for applications: Friday 27 February, 5pm
If you would prefer to submit your application in an alternative format, or if you have any questions about the role, please contact Cheryl Connell using the details above.