Stills is an open centre for creativity, exploration and display of contemporary visual art, with an emphasis on photography and digital media. It has programmes of exhibitions, residences, open access darkrooms and digital labs, and runs courses and a range of one off events ie book launches & artist talks. Stills is a limited company with registered charity status.

Stills was set up in 1977, as Scotland’s first gallery dedicated to photography. In 1996, the building was redesigned by architect Neil Gillespie of Reiach and Hall, and completely refurbished to create visitor and educational facilities, it was the first visual art recipient of National Lottery Capital funding and opened in 1997. Stills went through period of review in 2001-2002, re-launched in 2003 with extended B&W and colour chemical darkrooms alongside digital production facilities, a dedicated education suite and an ambitious programme of artists project (residences, exhibitions and events).

Stills regularly undertakes the following activities: artists commissions, artists residences, training for artists, education projects with various groups from Edinburgh and Scotland, support to local photography and digital technology, artists publications, training opportunities, use of venue to like minded individuals and organizations, encouragement of understanding of photography and digital technology through courses and training to the public and actively engaging new audiences through their city-wide audience development project called Re:Create in collaboration with other open access facilities in Edinburgh.