Southend Arts Council was formed in June 1978, primarily to promote amateur arts with the Borough of Southend on Sea.

Within this overall objective, the arts council is:

• The co-ordinating body for the activities of amateur societies, clubs and other organisations.
• Acting as a link between these societies, the cultural division of Southend Borough Council and other arts organisations.
• aiming to encourage the formation of new and to assist with the continuing development of existing societies.
• aiming to sponsor artistic events within the whole spectrum of artistic expression
• aiming to sponsor regular arts related workshops and activities.
• awarding annual grants to the societies that make up its membership
• organising an annual Open Day to facilitate the opportunity for its membership to promote their work and network.
• maintaining an annual directory of arts organisations in Southend on Sea

The Arts Council also has an extensive web site and distributes a quarterly newsletter of artistic events.

The Arts Council management committee has extensive knowledge of all aspects of artistic activity and has a proactive philosophy and a strong committment to amateur arts in the town.

It currently has over 60 affiliated societies in its membership and a number of individual members who are keen to support it aims and objectives.

Any amateur society who is not yet a member would be warmly welcomed as would any interested members of the public who wished to support it by becoming members.