What is an Artist-Run Centre?
Although artist-run
centres are substantially different from one another according to their
origins and locations, all have been founded on and share several basic
principles.
(based on *ANNPAC Objectives 1989)
These are:
- a belief in artistic freedom of expression;
- a belief that contemporary art activity can thrive in a non-commercial, non-profit environment;
- a belief that artists have the right to self-determination in creating and maintaining opportunities for production and presentation of their work;
- a belief that artists have the right to earn a decent standard of living through their art practice;
- a belief that all artists have an equal professional right to work and exhibition opportunities and the right to work in a non-discriminating environment;
- a belief that collaboration and communication between artists and their organization in different parts of the country is fundamental to the growth and dissemination of contemporary art practice in Canada
The fundamental purpose of artist-run centres is to provide services and
opportunities for professional development to artists in the creation
and presentation of their works. These centres grew out of the desire
of artists to exert more control over the production and presentation
of their work and over the statements their works make, at a time when
the only exhibition spaces were either public or commercial galleries.
The heart of these organizations is the membership of the artists which
they serve. Artist-run centres are democratic organizations where the
membership is active in the decision making and direction of the organization.
Why Do We Need an Artist-Run Centre?
Presently, there is a void in this community with respect to professional
development for artists. Artists work in isolation and are far from the
institutions which nuture artistic creativity such as art museums, alternative
galleries and teaching institutions. Independent venues for the exhibition
and viewing of contemporary cutting-edge work are non-existent.
Artist-run centres are not market-driven like commercial galleries. This fact allows for the exhibition of artworks without the need for consideration of their saleability. With this necessity removed, lesser known, young, emerging and progressive artists can have access to the exposure they need and deserve. Many of Canada's leading artists got their start at artist-run centres. Many of our senior artists and role models might have remained in obscurity were it not for the existence of these alternative venues.
Artist-run centres are more accessible than public galleries. They are open to participation by all artists, regardless of their experience level or exhibition history. Evaluation of artwork rests with the artists' own peers, where it belongs, rather than its being made subject to arbitrary dismissal by art gallery professionals who may or may not have direct knowledge and experience in the actual creation of art . Peer evaluation allows for an evolving aesthetic, artist initiatives, and the sharing of challenging work.