The Photographers’ Archives and Legacy Project was initiated in 2011. Key elements of the project were to include:

- research into models of good practice
- consultation with photographers through public events
- publication of case studies examining different approaches to the ways  photographers plan and organise their work and its legacy.

The research outcomes would be published on a dedicated and in specialist media. Feedback would help shape the next phase of the project, including developing practical guidance for practitioners.

The first research phase took place between May and October 2011 and involved:

Consultation with 25 to 30 individuals from: collecting institutions (both archives and museums and galleries), academics, independent photographic organisations and photographers to appraise the issues affecting both institutions and photographers and establish the level of interest in this subject;

Visits to archives to see and understand the physical requirements for storing and documenting photographic archives and how they are made accessible for research and public use (e.g. English Heritage Archive - now The Historic England Archive, Swindon; South West Image Bank, Plymouth, National Media Museum, Bradford - now the National Science and Media Museum);

A half-day meeting in London, which brought together key individuals from the earlier consultations (including representatives of Tate, V&A, Museum of London, De Montfort University, University of the Arts London, University of Plymouth, Photographers’ Gallery, James Hyman Gallery, Tosca Fund) to discuss issues relating to photographers’ archives and see if there could be agreement on collective action. (Click here for details).

The second involved the research and preparation of case studies, three public events and development of this website to disseminate the research.

A third and final phase is now in development (summer 2020).