221A Artist Run Centre is managed and operated by a board of directors and volunteer staff. Our primary purpose is to create a favourable space for artists and designers to share, build, and understand the values of their practice. The major activities of our organization include the operation of the exhibition space, the management of shared studios and the coordination of community programs.
News:
- Feb 23, 2010 – 221A Board returns from retreat to Nelson.
- Nov 29, 2009 – Emilie Madill joins 221A Board.
- Oct 3, 2009 – 221A to host Helen Pitt Gallery in early 2010.
- Oct 1, 2009 – ‘Fluid Space’ studios re-introduced.
- Nov 23, 2009 – Board expands, adding two – Jeffrey Werner and Zarah Ackerman.
2009-2010 Board of Directors:
- Brian McBay, Executive Director
- Oliver Li, Treasurer
- Kyle Duske, Director
- Michelle Fu, Director / http://michellefu.ca
- Chris Robson, Director
- Jeffrey Werner, Director / http://jeffwerner.ca
- Zarah Ackerman, Director
- Emilie Madill, Director
Support:
Our organization is funded primarily by private donors who share a vision to provide qualitative space for the development, education and exploration of ideas and material arts. 221A Artist Run Centre Society is a registered non-profit incorporation under the BC Society Act.
We would like to acknowledge the support of:
Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Vancouver Review
Surface Collective
To donate online please click below:
Thank you for your Support!
The story:
221A Artist Run Centre (formerly, NOART Vancouver Artist Collective) started in 2005 by students at Emily Carr Institute who had a desire for a participatory space to share ideas, work, and resources. The major function of the organization at this time was to hold a monthly one-night exhibition at Emily Carr Institute called the ‘Pact’, best described as a sporadic art/thinking/creating/sharing event fueled by copius amounts of food, music, and local publications. In 2007, the organization became a legal non-profit incorporation and established a diverse group of dedicated individuals excited to contribute to its purpose.
The introduction of a dedicated space in Chinatown (February 2008) adapted the activities of 221A to the new opportunities it presented; we found we had to shift our focus to renovations, legal necessities, business strategies, and monetary investments to get things going.
Above: In the beginning, Photo by Dan Kim.
This is a special space to us, as it is the result of over a year of consistent renovations (pushed by our own sweat, blood, tears and savings). The energy of the space is rooted by our involvement with its physical development and history. During the overhaul we found hundreds of documents, paintings, and other precious items throughout the 1912 heritage building. One invoice dates as far back as 1914, addressed to an anonymous “Chinaman”.
Above: April 2008.
After our first year – characterized mainly be renovations and start-up business – we have been eager to take advantage of the opportunities of the new space to address social and cultural issues.
Above: Halving by Joji Fukushima, April 4th, 2009.
Above: Chinatown – Looking outwards (Lydia Fu)
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