15 Jun 2020

Launching an Independent Art Space - Online Course by Node Center

'Launching an Independent Art Space: Conceptual and Practical Skills'
Online course by Node Center

*In support of our community and art professionals during the global outbreak of COVID-19, we are offering a 20% discount on all of our courses. Discount code: #stayathome


COURSE DESCRIPTION

Project spaces (also known as independent art spaces, artist-run initiatives, off spaces, etc.) are an important part of the art ecosystem: nurturing experimentation, promoting new artists, sparking dialogue and working closely with local art communities. While project spaces take many different forms, what they have in common is that they are usually not institutional, not commercial, nor a white cube.

Whether you're an artist, a curator or a collective group of people, having your own art space - no matter how small it is - brings a lot of opportunities to realize your ideas, experiment with concepts and build your career. Nevertheless, for a fruitful outcome it is important to consider certain structural, financial and conceptual aspects before getting started. This course is for people who want to set up their own independent art space. We will discuss the essentials of setting up your own space, including how to get started, potential organisational structures, developing a curatorial line, handling finances as well as PR strategies.

Over four weeks, participants will learn the practical aspects of establishing a project space and discover case studies of structural organisations and conceptual approaches. In addition, this course will also provide an overview of the history of prominent project spaces as well as current developments and existing networks.

Come with an already existing idea or start from a blank page! Throughout the course you will develop a concrete outline of the steps you need to realise your independent art space.

*Video conferences every Thursday at 3pm CEST. Recordings will be available in case you miss a live session!


-Duration: July 9 - 30, 2020
-Enrol before: July 5, 2020
-Lecturer: Nora Mayr
-Participation fee: 154 euros

FULL INFORMATION AND ENROLLMENTS:
nodecenter.net/course/independent-art-spaces

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PROGRAM

Week 1: Characteristics and formats

Introduction
What is an independent art space?
History of project spaces
Introduction to different types of artist-run spaces (exhibition formats, concepts, spaces and structures)
Project space platform networks world wide


Week 2: Structuring an artist run space

Structural set up (legal forms, team, opening hours, duration etc.)
Deciding on a location (who are your neighbors, audiences, collaborations, costs)
Defining your aim (Visitors, entrance fees, network, platform, etc.)
Audiences (What kind of audiences can one expect? What kind of audiences are you addressing?)
Program (exhibitions, lectures, open or closed)
Public programming (Artist talks, performances, education)
Different types of financing and fundraising for an artist run space


Week 3: Exhibition-making – concept, budget, practical skills

Strategies of developing a concept
Strategies of research. How to find fitting artistic positions and related topics?
Turning your idea into a practical concept
Lending works from artists and galleries (how to source the works and how to secure loans)
Writing a budget
Install (working with technicians, artists and considering packaging and access)
What to consider when organising a transport (insurance, customs, costs)


Week 4: Communication - artists, collaborators, press

Working with collaborators (institutions, curators, artists), defining contracts
Contacting Artists: open calls, invitations, commissions
Developing a Press Kit (writing press release, press images)
Communicating an exhibition and events (invite cards, newsletters, private invites)
How to use or not use Social Media
How to address the press and journalists
Documentation (taking pics, website, archive, catalogue)
Communication in the exhibition space (Handout, Labels; guided tours)

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CONTACT
www.nodecenter.net
courses@nodecenter.org