Our History

The Royal Standard’s name comes from its roots — initially founded in 2006 by four Liverpool John Moores University graduates in a pub in Dingle, Toxteth.

The founding artists responded to the need for a new artist-led organisation that would operate somewhere in between the city’s grassroots DIY initiatives and the more established arts institutions. Born from pint fulled conversations came a contemporary, artist-led gallery space and studio complex in Toxteth that was cheap to rent, and would be a magnet for the ambitious, emerging artists of Liverpool. Eventually, TRS morphed into a non-for-profit company that provided a workshop, experimental project space and residency programme alongside a radical programme of exhibitions and events.

In 2008 The Royal Standard undertook an ambitious relocation and expansion into a larger industrial space on the Northern periphery of the city centre to the Vauxhall Road site, relaunching to acclaim for the Liverpool Biennial 2008, which coincided with the city’s year as European Capital of Culture. Here we curated and delivered many DIY exhibitions, launching TRS into national recognition as one of the norths leading artist-led spaces. In this location, we were part of

After 8 years at the Vauxhall road site, in October 2016 we relocated to our current location in the Baltic Triangle, within the Northern Lights complex run by Baltic Creative. In our current location, we have been able to provide more accessible and comfortable facilities to artists, as well as producer larger shows. Acclaimed exhibitions include Seen by Everyone, Ultra Wet and Yet It Moves.

In our current home, we have been able to improve our accessibility and mature to think about our role as a leading space to support and nurture young and emerging artists in the city to make practicing as an artist a viable option in Liverpool. Our vision for The Royal Standard is to offer more professional development opportunities for artists, ensuring that they are paid for their time and recognised for the value they add to Liverpool as a thriving creative city.

Over the years, we have worked with numerous partners in Liverpool including the Bluecoat, Liverpool Biennial, and FACT. Our national partnerships with other artist-led organisations include New Contemporaries, Newbridge Projects, DYSPLA, and GENERATOR Projects. Honouring our roots, we work with Liverpool John Moores University to provide a residency scheme for their most ambitious and exceptional emerging art graduates.