Artspace
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Connecting Peterborough with contemporary Canadian visual art for 50 years!
ABOUT ARTSPACE
Artist-run centres emerged in Canada in the 1970s as alternative exhibition spaces. Today, they continue to serve as spaces for meaningful dialogue, community engagement, and exchange within and across Canada’s rich art scene. Founded in 1974, Artspace was one of the first artist-run centres in Canada and it remains a vital regional hub for the arts today.
We strive to produce thought-provoking exhibitions that engage with diverse cultural and political perspectives through collaboration with artists at all career stages, working in any medium.
Artspace has been serving the Peterborough community for now more than 50 years. We are a non-profit, charitable organization committed to nurturing the development and presentation of new work from artists of all disciplines.
Artspace is part of a dedicated and diverse community. We welcome audiences of all ages and backgrounds and have developed meaningful relationships with our neighbours in Peterborough’s vibrant downtown.
MISSION
Artspace Peterborough is a non-profit artist-run centre that champions the work of contemporary artists and fosters community engagement through our exhibitions and programming. Our mission is to support artists taking risks and experimenting with new ideas and to generate dialogue that increases appreciation for contemporary art in Canada. As a member-driven organization, we are committed to meaningful engagement with our members’ interests and needs, and as such, seek opportunities for member-led programming.
As one of Canada’s oldest artist-run centres and one of our region’s most vital arts organizations, we continue to attract respected talent from across the country and are proud to compensate with fees that meet or exceed recommended CARFAC rates.
Artspace is built on the strength of its membership, supported by private sector partners, and funded at all levels of government, the City of Peterborough, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and Ontario Arts Foundation.
OBJECTIVES
To foster dialogue between contemporary artists from diverse cultural/political perspectives
To cultivate dynamic audience engagement relevant to a wide range of community members on local, provincial, and national platforms
To provide professional development; to serve our membership as a community hub, educator, and provider of tools and resources.
To provide leadership and advocacy for artists facing institutional barriers and seeking equitable conditions.
ARTSPACE STATEMENT ON EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
Artspace is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and community. We acknowledge that systemic barriers have historically prevented individuals from diverse backgrounds from fully participating in the arts, and we are committed to identifying and addressing these barriers.
We recognize that diversity encompasses many dimensions, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and socioeconomic status. We celebrate the richness of diversity and believe that it is essential to our success as an organization.
We are committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our operations, including programming, hiring practices, community engagement, and outreach. We strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive space where all individuals can express themselves freely and feel valued and respected.
We recognize that promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion is an ongoing process that requires ongoing education, self-reflection, and dialogue. We are committed to continuously improving our practices and policies to ensure that Artspace is a safe and welcoming space for all.
A BRIEF
HISTORY
Founded in 1974 by a group of dedicated local artists, Artspace differs from many of the artist-run centres that formed in this early period. Artspace was established and sustained by a membership spread amongst smaller urban centres, rural areas and townships as part of a unique cultural milieu within the region. The organization received its non-profit, incorporated, charitable status in July 1977. Since it’s founding, Artspace has played a profound role in the development of contemporary Canadian art, creating a space for numerous prominent artists to present their work for the first time.
In July 2004 the Artspace gallery site was destroyed and its archives were badly damaged by a major flood in downtown Peterborough.
In September 2006 following several temporary relocations, Artspace resettled at its current location at 378 Aylmer Street. With an expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows the centre maintains a prominent street-front presence in the busy downtown core of Peterborough, where. With additional presentation and workshop spaces the centre’s current location allows for the installation of larger, more ambitious installations of contemporary art, while also providing regional artists with adequate professional workspaces.
In November 2014 the centre celebrated its 40th anniversary and marked the occasion with an interactive exhibition, publication, and public celebration entitled “I Will Not Grow Old In Peterborough.” In 2016, after ten years at our current site, and after a history of regular relocation, Artspace negotiated a new, long-term lease that will afford the centre locational stability through 2026.
And, 2024 is the centre’s 50th anniversary marked by several projects including a series of story-telling recordings (“Archiving Oral Histories”) and a roster of celebratory exhibitions including From the Ground Up: Artists in Practice for 50 Years.
What is an artist-run centre?
The Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference (ARCA) is a Canadian organization that represents ARCs and collectives in cities and towns across the country.
ARCA’s video addressing this question is a great place start to learn more about the vital importance of ARCs in supporting the work of artists.