ICvl

What ICvl does

IC Visual Lab C.I.C., trading as ICVL, is an independent, non-profit visual arts organisation and Community Interest Company registered in Bristol, United Kingdom (company number 08529004), operating from Old Market with additional teaching premises at Docklands Studios in St. Pauls and a new bookshop, gallery, and teaching space opening in Bristol in October 2024. Founded circa 2012 and led by founder-director Alejandro Acín and co-director Ben GJ Thomas with around 42 staff, the organisation runs long-term collaborative community projects (Factory of Memories, Alone with Empire, All That Flows Comes to Rest, The Cage, School of Movements, Prison Mobile Library, Old Market Diaries), an in-house design studio called ICVL Studio that produces photobooks with international artists (Shenasnameh, Zanjir, The Canary and The Hammer, The Dynamic, Teen Spirit, The Pioneers), biennial Bristol Photo Festival programming, and ./RAW-CLASS photography courses priced at £360 for a 36-hour programme. The platform stack is a standard web publishing and e-commerce layer on icvl.co.uk plus Instagram, X, and Facebook channels; there is no proprietary technology product.

Revenue mechanics blend project-based grants and commissions (Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, British Council, Bristol City Council, West of England Combined Authority, Nisbet Trust, Quartet Community Foundation) with one-off publication sales (£8-£45, often limited editions and frequently sold out), fee-based photography courses with instalment payment and scholarship options, and ticketed exhibitions and events at its Reading Room. The customer base is hybrid: public-sector funders, museums and galleries (M-Shed, Arnolfini, Bristol Archives), universities (UWE, University of Bristol), community organisations (Bridges for Communities, Old Market Community Organisation), prison services (HMP Bristol, HMP Dartmoor, HMP Exeter), and individual consumers buying publications.

Operated under a C.I.C. asset-lock, ICVL is structurally a social enterprise rather than an investable equity target, with profits reinvested into its cultural and community mission. Growth is rooted in award-validated international recognition (TIME Best Photobooks 2016, Prix du Livre and Arles shortlistings, Best Photo-Text Book at Arles 2020) and expanding partnerships with international cultural institutions such as Magnum Photos, Photo Kathmandu, Nepal Picture Library, and Matca Vietnam.

Name

ICvl

Legal name

IC Visual Lab C.I.C.

Website

https://icvl.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IC Visual Lab C.I.C. (ICVL) is a Bristol-based independent non-profit arts organisation and Community Interest Company running long-term community photography projects, an in-house photobook design studio (ICVL Studio), the biennial Bristol Photo Festival, and ./RAW-CLASS photography courses, funded primarily by UK public cultural grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Publication Sales: ICVL Studio produces and sells photobooks and publications created in collaboration with artists. These include works by Amak Mahmoodian (Shenasnameh, Zanjir), Lisa Barnard (The Canary and The Hammer), Colin Pantall (All Quiet on the Home Front), and many others. Publications are sold through their website with prices ranging from £8 to £45.
2. Educational Programmes: RAW-CLASS offers photography courses (Starter and Advanced levels) at £360 per 36-hour course (12 sessions), with payment plans available. These courses teach photographic language, techniques, and creative processes.
3. Project Commissions and Grants: ICVL receives funding and commissions from Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, British Council, Historic England, and other public bodies for specific projects like Bristol Photo Festival, Factory of Memories, Alone with Empire, and The Cage.
4. Exhibition and Event Programming: The Reading Room hosts exhibitions, artist talks, and events that are open to the public, often with ticketed entry. Events include exhibitions like 'ERROR 404' by Nepal Point and 'TABLE FOR ONE' by Vincen Beeckam.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ICVL is an independent arts organisation that creates long-term collaborative projects bringing communities together with contemporary photography and overlooked archives. It operates an in-house design studio (ICVL Studio) that produces and sells photobooks, pamphlets and exhibition catalogues with international artists, and runs the biennial Bristol Photo Festival, the Reading Room exhibition programme, and the ./RAW-CLASS photography education courses.

Product overview

IC Visual Lab is an independent non-profit arts organisation based in Bristol, UK, that operates primarily as a visual arts and photography-focused entity rather than a technology company. Its core offerings consist of: (1) Long-term collaborative community projects exploring photography, archives, and contemporary storytelling; (2) ICVL Studio, an in-house design studio producing publications with international artists; (3) Bristol Photo Festival, a biennial international photography festival; (4) ./RAW-CLASS photography education courses; and (5) Reading Room exhibition space. The organisation produces and sells various photobooks and publications through its studio. The portfolio spans community-engaged projects (The Cage, School of Movements, Prison Mobile Library, Old Market Diaries), major exhibitions (Everything is Politics, Never Apologise, Factory of Memories), and an extensive catalogue of published photobooks including Shenasnameh, Zanjir, The Canary and The Hammer, The Dynamic, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ICVL Studio An in-house design studio that collaborates with international artists, organisations, and brands to produce publications, projects, and outcomes. Sold as a contracted service to artists and organisations seeking professional photobook and exhibition design.
• ./RAW-CLASS Photography Courses Structured photography education programme offered at Starter and Advanced levels. Courses run for 36 hours across 12 sessions, teaching photographic language, techniques, and creative process, with additional day-out activities and a Bristol-resident scholarship available.
• Bristol Photo Festival An international biennial photography festival shaped by the movements of the city, led by IC Visual Lab. Combines exhibitions, talks, screenings, and symposia delivered across Bristol with multiple cultural partners.
• Reading Room Exhibitions and Events Exhibition space hosting photography and contemporary art exhibitions, artist talks, screenings, and ticketed events at ICVL's premises in Bristol. Some events carry ticketed entry; exhibitions are typically free.
• Shenasnameh Award-winning photobook by Amak Mahmoodian exploring Iranian women's identity through archival photographs and fingerprints. Published in an edition of 300 copies.
• Zanjir Photobook by Amak Mahmoodian presenting a conversation between the artist and Persian princess Taj Saltaneh, examining women overlooked by Iran's Qajar dynasty. Winner of Best Photo-Text Book at Les Recontres d'Arles 2020.
• The Canary and The Hammer Photobook by Lisa Barnard exploring humanity's reverence for gold and its role in the pursuit of progress across four years and four continents. Co-published with MACK.
• The Dynamic Photobook by Sebastián Bruno documenting Wales' most distinctive local newspaper and the community it represented. Shortlisted for Best Book Award at Les Recontres d'Arles 2023 and the British Book Design and Production Awards 2023.
• Teen Spirit Photobook by Vincen Beeckman documenting teenagers from Charleroi, Belgium in collaboration with local youth centres. Co-published with BPS22 Art Museum.
• The Pioneers Photobook by Wendy Leocque documenting the Windrush generation through portraits by Garfield McKenzie.
• Growing Spaces Photobook by Chris Hoare chronicling urban land cultivation in Bristol across official and unofficial growing spaces.
• Catalyst 2020/2021 Book Set Collective publication of six booklets from the CATALYST mentorship programme, featuring visual essays by emerging photographers. Edition of 100, with profits supporting future editions of the programme.
• Looking for Signs Photobook by Peter Finnemore documenting social spaces and experiences in India through expressive handheld camera photography.
• The Rest is History Photobook by Alejandro Acín questioning the construction of history through photographs taken during the final 24 hours of Britain's EU membership.
• So Far So Good Photobook by No Sovereign Author following a family's bureaucratic journey to seek asylum in Belgium.
• Housing Dysfunction Collaborative publication produced by The Cage project. Profits donated to ACORN (housing tenants union).
• Let The World Adore You Photobook by Lisa Brunzel exploring ABBA tribute artists and their individual interpretations of the original band.
• A Slant of Light

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple award-winning publications including Shenasnameh (TIME Best Photobooks 2016, Prix du Livre shortlist, Flipm Photobook Award) and Zanjir (Best Photo-Text Book, Les Recontres d'Arles 2020)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bristol Museums and Arts GalleriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner for exhibitions and archive projects including Factory of Memories with M-Shed Museum. Collaborator on Bristol Photo Festival.
• Arnolfini GallerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey exhibition partner for Zanjir exhibition and other projects. Collaborator on Bristol Photo Festival.
• University of West of England (UWE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for multiple projects including Factory of Memories, The Cage, and All That Flows Comes to Rest. Location for RAW-CLASS courses.
• University of BristolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaborator on Factory of Memories, Alone with Empire, and School of Movements projects.
• Magnum PhotoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on Factory of Memories project with M-Shed and Multistory.
• RRB PhotobookscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of Photobook Bristol festival and co-publisher of multiple publications including Zanjir, Growing Spaces, and The Pioneers.
• Martin Parr FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Bristol Photo Festival and venue for The Dynamic exhibition by Sebastian Bruno.
• Photo KathmanducoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaborator on The Cage project and 2075 Civil Press workshop programme.
• Nepal Picture LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on The Cage project and 2075 Civil Press workshop.
• Bristol Photo FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICVL leads the second edition of Bristol Photo Festival. Previously acted as key partner during first edition.
• WatershedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Bristol Photo Festival.
• Royal Photographic SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Bristol Photo Festival.
• Format Festival DerbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Getxophoto International FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation for international collaboration.
• Bridges for CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner for School of Movements programme supporting migrants and refugees in Bristol.
• Weston CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Prison Mobile Library project supporting incarcerated people to develop and publish stories.
• HMP Bristol, HMP Dartmoor, HMP ExetercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrison locations for Prison Mobile Library workshops and publication distribution.
• Matca VietnamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on Roots & Worlds project - a collaborative school for ecological encounters.
• Arab Image FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation for image and archive collaboration.
• Creative Youth NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on Alone with Empire project.
• M-She D MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned ICVL for Factory of Memories project and Open for Business activities examining Bristol's industrial history.
• Bristol ArchivescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Alone with Empire project using British Empire and Commonwealth Collection.
• MultistorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on Factory of Memories project with M-Shed and Magnum Photos.
• Old Market Community OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Old Market Diaries community archive project.
• 1625 Independent PeoplecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Old Market Diaries community archive project.
• BPS22 Art MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-publisher of Teen Spirit by Vincen Beeckam and partner for eponymous exhibition.
• MACK (Publisher)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublisher of The Canary and The Hammer by Lisa Barnard.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Magnum Photos: Global photography cooperative with foundation arm supporting education and archive projects. Comparable as a partner in Factory of Memories and broader community-engaged photography work.
• Aperture Foundation: Established US photography non-profit producing books, exhibitions, and educational programs at much larger scale. Comparable mission in photography publishing and community engagement but with broader reach and resources.
• MACK: Leading international photobook publisher with curated catalog and distribution. Already publishes co-produced ICVL books (e.g., The Canary and The Hammer); represents the established end of the same publishing ecosystem.
• The Photographers' Gallery: London's primary photography institution with exhibitions, bookshop, and learning programs. Comparable in combining publishing, exhibitions, and education around contemporary photography.

Direct peers

• Multistory: UK community-engaged arts non-profit producing participatory photography and storytelling projects in partnership with museums. Comparable in delivery model and partner network; already a collaborator on Factory of Memories.
• Photoworks: UK-based non-profit photography organization commissioning artists, producing publications, and running festivals. Highly comparable as a grant-funded photography non-profit with publication, exhibition, and learning programs.
• Martin Parr Foundation: Bristol-based photography non-profit with archive, exhibition, and education programs. Direct geographic and mission overlap with ICVL; already a listed Bristol Photo Festival partner.
• Self Publish, Be Happy: Photobook-focused publisher and community platform producing limited-edition artist books. Comparable operating model in small-edition photography publishing and artist collaboration.
• RRB Photobooks: Bristol-based photobook retailer and publisher. Listed ICVL partner and co-publisher on multiple titles; directly comparable as a regional photobook distributor/publisher.

Regional players

• Format Festival: Derby-based international photography festival. Listed ICVL partner organization for knowledge sharing; comparable as a biennial photography festival with education and exhibition components.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IC_Visual_Lab
• Facebookfacebook.com/icvisuallab
• Instagraminstagram.com/ic_visual_lab/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icvl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICvl