What does LUX do?
LUX is an international arts agency based in London specialising in artists who work with film, video and other forms of the moving image.
LUX exists to provide access to, and develop audiences for, artists' moving image work; to provide professional development support for artists; and to contribute to and develop discourse around artists' practice with moving images.
LUX pursues these aims through a number of related activities:
- Representing a collection of over 5000 international artists' film and video works which it makes available for cinemas, film festivals, galleries, museums and art colleges both in the UK and overseas
- Organising screenings, events, exhibitions and touring programmes in the UK and overseas
- Collaborating with other arts organisations and individuals to research and exhibit artists' moving image
- Commissioning artists to make new works
- Publishing DVDs, books and online resources to improve understanding of artists' moving image practice
- Providing advice, mentoring and professional development programmes for artists working with the moving image
- Organising educational talks, screenings and projects for schools and colleges.
- Undertaking research to contribute to policy around artists' moving image practice.
What is the history of the organisation?
LUX was founded in 2002 to build on the work and history of its predecessor organisations, The Lux Centre (which was based in Hoxton Square in London), London Electronic Arts (founded in 1976, originally called London Video Arts) and the London FIlmmakers Co-operative (founded 1966). Although LUX is a new organisation it still represents these organisations' film and video collections and maintains many of their values and aims - specifically to support and provide access to artists' moving image works, to act as advocates for such works and to provide a critical context for this area of artistic practice.
How is LUX funded?
LUX is a charity and not-for-profit company. It receives significant revenue support from Arts Council England and the rest of its income is made up from earned income mainly generated through distribution activity and other grants.
Will LUX distribute my work?
The LUX collection is a curated collection, so all works are actively acquired by LUX staff - there is no open submission. Our predecessor organisations originally operated a process of open submission (i.e. anyone could lodge work with the organisations), but due to the enormous increase in new work being produced in the early 1990s a selection process was introduced.
LUX takes on a relatively small number of new artists every year, mainly because we want to take on work in good faith knowing that we can effectively promote it. We are however always interested to know about new work so we welcome information about screenings and shows, both offline and online. Also distribution is not the only way we work with artists, so please subscribe to our e-newsletter for information about other upcoming opportunities.
How can I see a work from the LUX collection?
LUX is primarily a distributor, that is it mainly deals with organisations or venues who wish to exhibit the works publicly. However, it is possible for individuals to book a viewing session at the LUX office which costs £5 per hour. We also publish DVDs (see our website shop) and are working on streaming more works from our website.
How do I organise getting works from the LUX collection to show in my screening/exhibition/festival?
Have a look at the order page to familiarise yourself with the process, then email the Assistant Director to make the initial booking. Once the details are confirmed we will issue a booking confirmation and an invoice which needs to be paid in advance of shipping. We can also advise on other moving image works you may be interested in, even if they are not held at LUX, as well as providing more information about the artists we represent and technical information about how to exhibit particular works.
How can I work at LUX?
We advertise all our jobs on our website, in our e-newsletter and in the national press. We also offer a number of unpaid internships for those wishing to gain experience working in this area. See the jobs page for more information.
Would LUX be interested in collaborating on a project/exhibition/publication?
Yes, we may be interested - it depends whether it fits within our aims and objectives and on the resources we have available at the time. Even where we are not able to collaborate formally, we may at least be able to offer some advice. If you would like to propose a collaboration with LUX of any kind, please email the Director with details.
What is artists' moving image work?
While it is difficult to define exactly, we would describe artists' moving image work as film and video produced and exhibited primarily in a visual arts context. LUX operates with a broad, inclusive definition which includes experimental film, video art, installation art, performance art, personal and experimental documentary, essay films and animation.
Where else can I see more artists' moving image work?
There are more and more DVDs being published all the time - you can track new releases by subscribing to our monthly e-newsletter and many titles, including those by other publishers, are available through our website shop. There are also a number of places online to see work - perhaps the best is www.ubuweb.com for historical work, while in the UK www.tank.tv is a good site for more contemporary work.
