Bus held a forum last week to discuss the relevance of Artist Run Initiative's and whether they are the way to keep going with this rental crisis growing bigger and bigger. I think a discussion of 'what else can we do other than what we are doing now' needs to be on everyone's lips (constantly). As Marcus Westbury (Renew Newcastle) said, we need to not just think of other options within the same evolutionary path but go back to square one and consider new paths with completely different outcomes.
I am proposing one way of running a space for Artists to show their work but I want to hear what other ideas you have.
The Space
window99 was an installation space in the window of 99 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. It was a not-for-profit, artist focused space, open 24 hours a day, everyday.
The Idea
window99 offer an alternative to exhibiting art within the white cube by moving the gallery into the public setting. This also provided artists with an opportunity to exhibit their work within a highly exposed, flexible window box for an affordable rate.
The New Venture
window99 has now resolved with a new space three doors up being the next venture for Marie and Leo. The new initiative is called Conduit Arts and continues the window99 and Rollerdoor Performance Space focus on bringing emerging artists, musician and performers together along with their audiences. Check out the new space at conduitarts.org