The opening of The Box was one of the most significant cultural events in the UK in 2020. Plymouth’s former Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library and St Luke’s church buildings have been completely transformed with a series of new galleries and exhibition spaces. The Box also features a striking elevated ‘archive in the sky’ with research and learning facilities, food, drink and retail spaces. It’s also created a major new public square (Tavistock Place) for performances, events and artistic responses. Plymouth has a fascinating past and a dynamic present. The Box’s collections, programmes and commissions share stories of international and local significance. We also give contemporary artists the opportunity to create new work that responds to our historic collections.

The Box’ collection comprises of over 250,000 items maintained in their original analogue and born digital formats and, in addition to the 2000 amateur collections deposited for safekeeping by members of the public and local businesses, we also hold the Westward and Television South West collection. The moving image collections exist as one of the largest regional film archive collections in the UK and is recognised nationally as being a significant screen heritage resource, depicting the many changes that have taken place in the city and a region from the late 1890s to the present day.

Over 800 clips showcasing our collection are available to view on the BFIPlayer and, on opening, visitors to The Box will be able to explore our brand new Media Lab gallery which celebrates the technologies, processes and people that have shaped the South West’s film and photographic heritage.

Please direct any enquiries or requests for moving image to theboxenquiries@plymouth.gov.uk.

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