Have you thought about working for a gallery or managing one? Or starting up your own mini art space with a group of like minded artists? Taking over an established artist run initiative (ARI) is the next closest thing. Not only is it great to be part of for yourself (and your resume), but you are contributing to sustaining your local area’s artists, arts and culture.
How do you get involved? Get a group together who feel passionate about starting an arts organisation, and once you have planned thoroughly, apply for funding. This is exactly what Susan Reid did who founded and established Cell Art Space (C.A.S.) in 2003 with the help of fellow artists. C.A.S. is a contemporary not-for-profit art space voluntarily managed by artists for artists. The local artists and community of Cairns recognised a need for more accessible, available and affordable exhibition space. Action resulted in this alternative ‘view only’ art space sponsored by Ergon Energy.
Cell is a play on the word referring to an energy cell. As well as in reference to artists’ regenerating and multiplying as the exhibitions turn over monthly. Also, the space is shaped like a battery; it
