Index is an independent art space owned and run by Index - The Swedish Contemporary Art Foundation. It is a site for art production and distribution, a place where artistic and audience related experiments are carried out. Our focus is directed towards contemporary art and curatorial practice with the aim of providing a ground for creativity in a wider sense of the word. Each year Index produces 4 exhibitions in the gallery space, but in addition we also promote artistic expressions in various forms such as for instance screenings, performance, and workshops to influence the programme with a certain mobility. In this way, we opt to question and reflect on our current direction and activities at all times.

Index do not represent single artists, but the gallery has throughout the years had an indisputable importance in promoting the art of young Swedish and international, renowned established artists in a sympathetic, non-hierarchical relationship. To curate exhibitions today does not restrict itself to present a selection of objects in a designated space: in their profession, working with artists, curators at all times find themselves in different situations. Due to this fact, an institution dealing with contemporary art above all needs to be flexible. Since Index is quite a small institution, we can constantly revise existing ideas and experiment with new solutions trying to find out ideal circumstances for ourselves and for the artists.

Index is supported by the Swedish National Council for Cultural Affairs, The Culture Administration of Stockholm and Stockholm County Council.





Index is since 1998 run by Index - The Swedish Contemporary Art Foundation, an organization founded by Fotograficentrum, the former owner of the gallery.

Fotograficentrum, a non-profit membership association was founded in 1974. Fotograficentrum was non-political, but with a pronounced engagement in issues concerning society. An important ambition of the association's activities was to heighten photography's status as an art form, an aim that has chiefly been met.

During its whole existence, Fotograficentrum was an active participant, and often the leader, in current art debate. During the lively debate of the 80's, concerning the changing role of photography, the gallerys exhibitions was an important forum. Fotograficentrum also created and published the magazine Index, (formerly Bildtidningen). In 1995, Fotograficentrum founded Stiftelsen för Visuella Studier and handed over the proprietary rights of the magazine to this foundation. Later former Index and Siksi magazines merged together and were published as NU - The Nordic Art Rewiev.

Index was also one of the founders of Xposeptember ­ photofestival in Stockholm, which took place for the first time in conjunction with Stockholm ­ Capital of Culture 1998.

Since early 90´s Index focus has expanded to cover the contemporary art scene as a whole instead of directing an interest in one media only. However, the interest for photography manifested itself as an early openness for film and videowork, which also led to the founding of a video collection, which is open for public and which still is regulary updated.

Over the years Index activities has been well received by both public and press. Index has collaborated with a great number of actors on the contemporary art scene: AFAA, British Council, Mondriaan Foundation, Nifca, IASPIS, former DCA etc. together with museums and galleries.

Since 1995 Index has been working with education for young people, mainly in the form of introductionary lectures about contemporay art. We are currently investigating new forms for communicating contemporary art.

In 2005, Index relocated to Kungsholmen in Stockholm.

Index is since 1998 run by Index - The Swedish Contemporary Art Foundation, an organization founded by Fotograficentrum, the former owner of the gallery. Fotograficentrum, a non-profit membership association was founded in 1974. Read more