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 close to 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 is a non-profit artist-run centre that assists artists with the presentation of new work. We change in response to the needs of artists and work to engage and inform the public about their work.

Formally, our mandate is to foster a stronger appreciation for Canadian contemporary art. In our ongoing efforts to increase public awareness, we also aim to build on our reputation as one of our region’s most vital arts organizations.

Our programming, though national in scope, is regional in spirit. In connecting artists to the community and fostering public engagement, we continue to attract respected talent from across the country. We are proud to compensate with fees that exceed recommended CARFAC rates.

OBJECTIVES

To advocate for the rights of artists; specifically, we recognize the institutional barriers faced by specific groups of artists and aim to create space for Indigenous, regional, and emerging artists working in all disciplines and medias To take a leadership role in the interface between artists and community, and foster dialogue between contemporary artists from diverse cultural/political perspectives

To foster dynamic audience engagement that appeals to a wide range of community members on a local, provincial, and national platform

To serve as an educator, resource centre and creator of professional development opportunities for artists in the region

Artspace is built on the strength of its membership, supported by private sector partners, and funded at all levels of government, the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Arts Foundation, and the City of Peterborough.

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.