Redeye, the Photography Network, is a not-for-profit organisation set up to support photographers at every level, and improve the health of photography generally. It is based in Manchester, UK, and has subscribers and users across the UK and globally. It aims to form a clear picture of the ways photographers and photographic artists are working now, and give them access to events, opportunities, advice and information that are relevant to their work and difficult to find elsewhere. Alongside this it works to bring photographic and other organisations together, to encourage ethical and best practice, and to build a voice for photography.

“Redeye is a leader among a strengthening body of nationally significant photography-focused organisations that address career development for professionals.” - Arts Professional

Who is involved?
Click here for more information about our staff, board, advisory group and users.

What does it do, when did it start and where does it operate?
Scroll down for more information about our programme of activities, and a brief history.

Finance:
Redeye's income comes from grant funding, sales of tickets and other items, sponsorship, membership fees and consultancy. Redeye receives regular funding from Arts Council England (ACE), and from 1 April 2012 will be an ACE National Portfolio Organisation.

How can I get involved?
As a network Redeye depends on your participation and involvement. If you want to find out more about Redeye, please come along to one of our events, in particular our Network meetings, where you can meet our staff and hear and share ideas. We have a small team of regular volunteers: click here for more information.

Redeye's programme
Redeye delivers a range of events for photographers at all levels and genres. If you've never been and want to find out more, a Network Meeting would be a good place to start - they take place regularly in Manchester and Liverpool. We also have regular talks, walks, masterclasses, portfolio critiques, and workshops and seminars covering business, creative and technical matters. Our flagship annual event is the National Photography Symposium. Our long term course devoted to helping people show their work is called Lightbox and runs every two years; the next one launches in summer 2012. We also provide a range of information and opportunities via this website, email newsletters and social media. Most of what we do is open to all, and all are welcome. Members get priority access and reduced prices on our events and activities, and there are occasional exclusive members' events and opportunities.

Partnerships
Redeye is very pleased to work with a large number of partner organisations to deliver its events, such as galleries, universities and other photographic and arts organisations. Redeye is a member of the following umbrella organisations:
The British Photographic Council
Ma-Net - Media Arts Network.

History
In 1998 a group of photographers met upstairs in a Manchester pub to discuss some research by North West Arts into what the region's practitioners needed. The answer was more complex than it first appeared; while some needed darkrooms, others wanted digital facilities, exhibition space, talks by photographers, help with business and legal matters. Most importantly they wanted to talk and listen to each other, to learn from the experience of others about an industry which can sometimes seem closed and impenetrable. By the beginning of 1999 these meetings had become regular; some of those photographers, chaired by Len Grant, volunteered to help run the organisation, and Redeye had a name and a newsletter. October '99 saw its first events, six talks starting with Paul Hill. The first paid worker was appointed in 2001, and the co-ordinator began working in 2002.