News - Page 4 of 14

I is for Institute Conversation

May 14, 2020

The ICA Philadelphia recently published a long-form conversation with 221A’s Co-Founder and Executive Director, Brian McBay, and Head of Strategy, Jesse McKee, with ICA curators Alex Klein, Tausif Noor and Jessica Bao, as part of their multi-year project I is for Institute. Featuring over 40 interviews with institutional leaders and programmers, this project asks questions like: Has the definition of an institute been stable throughout history, or has it taken on different meanings and inflections over time? What does the notion of an “institute” conjure for a public? And, how might we question the parameters of an “institute of contemporary art” as a way to rethink how we approach our own institutional identity? During this time of reconsideration and reorientation, this archive is a vital resource for all of us to rethink the essentials and potentials of our work in the art and design realms.

221A Welcomes Tao Fei as Program Producer

April 16, 2020

221A is pleased to announce the hiring of Tao Fei who takes on the part-time role of Program Producer as of April 2020. As a member of 221A’s programming team, the Program Producer is responsible for planning, implementing and facilitating the smooth delivery of all logistics related to research, education and public art programs, as well as communications and advancement activities. Working alongside the Head of Strategy and Education & Learning Programmer, Fei will provide program management for Fellows, Keyholders, Research Initiatives, partners, and education activities.

COVID-19 Mutual Aid & Collective Measures

March 27, 2020

As of March 11, 2020, 221A’s offices and programming venues have been closed, and will remain closed for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the physical distancing measures enacted by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Health. Staff are predominantly working from home until further notice, and are maintaining their usual hours. 221A has made commitments to keep its staff employed during these uncertain times, and to provide full payment of fees for Artists and contractors engaged with the Organization’s programming and research initiatives. In the coming weeks and months, 221A looks forward to sharing digital-realm programming outputs that are being generated by its Fellowship program and the Blockchains & Cultural Padlocks Research Initiative.

Exiting 221 East Georgia

March 27, 2020

221A has made a unanimous decision to cease the operation of 221 East Georgia Street, one site under its operations, as of March 31, 2020 due to untenable conditions resulting from poor maintenance of the overall property. While these issues have escalated over several years, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision to exit was recently made for the long-term health of the Organization, the staff, stakeholders and audiences. The facility is the organization’s first programming and administrative venue, under operation since 2008. With such a rich history of developing the organization amidst the challenges and upheavals of the gentrification battle-ground neighbourhood that is Vancouver’s Chinatown, this was not a decision that has been made lightly. While the Organization has grown to operate six cultural space properties in Vancouver, with a total of over 56,000 square feet, the 221 East Georgia Street facility has been formative for 221A’s orientation to the neighbourhood, and cultural sector. The principal reason for this departure is because of the questionable safety of the building resulting from neglected maintenance issues. It was beyond the organization’s control and resources to address the safety of the facility for its staff and audiences.