Canadian artist-run centres
Encyclopedia
Canadian artist-run centres (ARC or ARCs) are a series of galleries and art spaces developed by artists in Canada since the 1960s. "Artist-run centre" is the common term of use for artist-initiated and managed organizations in Canada. Centres follow the not-for-profit arts organization
model, do not charge admission fees, are non-commercial and de-emphasize the selling of work.
Similar artist-run organizations have been developed worldwide. In the US, they are commonly identified by the term artist-run space
and in Australia by the term artist-run initiative
(ARI).
by Canadian and international artists, often in combination with critical writing and other public events such as lectures, performances, screenings, etc. The centres have tended to focus on emerging artists and artists working outside the commercial gallery system. Some centres have been developed to support creative production, particular in the areas of video, new media, photography and printmaking.
which has a specific program of two-year operating support for artist-run centres. Most centres also receive funding from the Provincial governments, most of which have an arts council
to financially assist individual artists and arts organizations. Centres may also receive funding from their local municipal or city governments. Centres sometimes will secure funding for specific projects from corporations that manage lottery earnings or public and private foundations. Centres have tended not to pursue individual sponsors or patrons, neither corporations nor individuals, in part because they are in a critical relationship with the traditional and established art system of museums which have the resources to pursue that type of support.
although some centres also use curators to select projects. Centres provide a venue but also help the artist to install the work and will often facilitate the creation of a critical text published in conjunction with the exhibition. Centres will also promote the exhibition or presentation.
Canadian artist-run centres are committed to the principle of paying artists for the exhibition or presentation of their work. Indeed centres are required to do so if they receive funding from the Canada Council
. A recommended schedule of payment is provided by Canadian Artists Representation (CARFAC), an artists advocacy group.
The artist-run centres are collectively represented by associations formed by region or constituency, which associations are themselves represented by a national association. These associations advocate on behalf of their centre members on issues of public policy.
Not-for-profit arts organization
A not-for-profit arts organization is usually in the form of a not-for-profit corporation, association, or foundation. Such organizations are formed for the purpose of developing and promoting the work of artists in various visual and performing art forms such as film, sculpture, dance, painting,...
model, do not charge admission fees, are non-commercial and de-emphasize the selling of work.
History
The centres were created originally in response to a lack of opportunity to present contemporary work and a desire to network with other artists nationally and internationally. In the 1990s there were over 100 artist-run centres across Canada. Today there are at least 60 artist-run centres with continuous operating funding.Similar artist-run organizations have been developed worldwide. In the US, they are commonly identified by the term artist-run space
Artist-run space
An artist-run space is a gallery space run by artists, thus circumventing the structures of public and private galleries.Artist-run spaces have become realised as an important factor in urban regeneration...
and in Australia by the term artist-run initiative
Artist-run initiative
An artist-run initiative is any project run by visual artists to present their and others' projects. They might approximate a traditional art gallery space in appearance or function, or they may take a markedly different approach, limited only by the artist's understanding of the term...
(ARI).
Focus
Each artist-run centre has a unique program, but most present contemporary artContemporary art
Contemporary art can be defined variously as art produced at this present point in time or art produced since World War II. The definition of the word contemporary would support the first view, but museums of contemporary art commonly define their collections as consisting of art produced...
by Canadian and international artists, often in combination with critical writing and other public events such as lectures, performances, screenings, etc. The centres have tended to focus on emerging artists and artists working outside the commercial gallery system. Some centres have been developed to support creative production, particular in the areas of video, new media, photography and printmaking.
Funding
The primary source of funding for artist-run centres is the Canada CouncilCanada Council
The Canada Council for the Arts, commonly called the Canada Council, is a Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government of Canada, created to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. It funds Canadian artists and...
which has a specific program of two-year operating support for artist-run centres. Most centres also receive funding from the Provincial governments, most of which have an arts council
Arts council
An arts council is a government or private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts mainly by funding local artists, awarding prizes, and organizing events at home and abroad...
to financially assist individual artists and arts organizations. Centres may also receive funding from their local municipal or city governments. Centres sometimes will secure funding for specific projects from corporations that manage lottery earnings or public and private foundations. Centres have tended not to pursue individual sponsors or patrons, neither corporations nor individuals, in part because they are in a critical relationship with the traditional and established art system of museums which have the resources to pursue that type of support.
Support for artists
Artist-run centres create opportunities for artists to present their work. Centres typically accept submissions openly and make selections by a peer jury processPeer jury process
The peer jury process is often used in the arts to assess applications for grants, proposals for exhibitions made in response to an open call for submissions and art competitions...
although some centres also use curators to select projects. Centres provide a venue but also help the artist to install the work and will often facilitate the creation of a critical text published in conjunction with the exhibition. Centres will also promote the exhibition or presentation.
Canadian artist-run centres are committed to the principle of paying artists for the exhibition or presentation of their work. Indeed centres are required to do so if they receive funding from the Canada Council
Canada Council
The Canada Council for the Arts, commonly called the Canada Council, is a Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government of Canada, created to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. It funds Canadian artists and...
. A recommended schedule of payment is provided by Canadian Artists Representation (CARFAC), an artists advocacy group.
Advocacy
Artist-run centres advocate an artist-centric approach, promoting artists self-determination of what to present and how to present it. This approach has widely influenced the contemporary art scene.The artist-run centres are collectively represented by associations formed by region or constituency, which associations are themselves represented by a national association. These associations advocate on behalf of their centre members on issues of public policy.
External links
- List of Canadian Artist-run Centres, Media and Production Centres, etc.
- Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference / La Conférence des collectifs et des centres d'artistes autogérés (ARCCC/CCCAA) (Canada)
- Listing of artist-run centres world-wide
- Canadian Artists' Representation / le Front des artistes canadiens
- Artist Run Centres & Collectives of Ontario
- decentre - concerning artist-run culture | a propos de centres d'artistes