Southend Focal Point Gallery given nearly £500,000 for improvements (From Southend Standard)

Southend Focal Point Gallery given nearly £500,000 for improvements

4:20pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in Echo News By Emma Thomas

A SOUTHEND gallery has been given just under £500,000 towards creating a new world-class exhibition space for the town.

The Focal Point Gallery, currently based in Southend Central Library in Victoria Avenue, was awarded the Arts Council grant to carry out work on the new gallery set to open in September this year.

The Sixties building in Victoria Avenue will closed next year, when the £27million library and gallery moves to the Forum building in Luker Road.

Andrew Hunt, gallery director, said he was delighted they had been successful.

The money will be used to fit out the 400square metre gallery with humidity and temperature controls to allow it to house expensive artwork on loan. Internationally acclaimed artists will also be commissioned to create seating, a reception desk and other artwork for the new gallery.