Oxygen Art Centre has announced that the artist-run centre is the recipient of a major multi-year funding program. The generous support comes from the Vancouver Foundation’s Transforming Systems Grant.
These grants of $300,000 offer flexible, operational funding for three years to organizations advancing systemic change by addressing the root causes of inequality and supporting those most affected to shape their own futures.
Vancouver Foundation is dedicated to creating healthy, vibrant, equitable, and inclusive communities across BC. Since 1943, our donors have created 2,200 endowment funds and together we have distributed more than $1.5 billion to charities. From arts and culture to the environment, health and social development, education, medical research and more, we exist to make meaningful and lasting improvements to communities in BC.
Oxygen Art Centre is an artist-run centre located on the tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the Sn̓ʕaýckstx (Sinixt), Syilx and Ktunaxa Nations colonially known as the West Kootenay in the southeastern interior region of British Columbia, Canada.
Located in the city of Nelson, Oxygen was founded as the Nelson Fine Arts Centre Society in 2002 by former writing and visual arts faculty from the Kootenay School of the Arts. Oxygen operates in a 900 sq. ft. renovated warehouse space that serves as a studio, gallery, residency centre, event space, and office.
Oxygen is known for challenging and experimental programming. We value the curatorial, research, and production of contemporary art programming that support diverse artists in all stages of their careers. We are particularly interested in contemporary art practices that are interdisciplinary, process-based, and socially engaged, focused through two core programs: the Exhibition and Residency Program and the Education Program.
With the support of the Vancouver Foundation—at this increasingly precarious economic moment for arts and culture nonprofits—the artist-run centre will direct these funds to human resources and operating expenses to establish a secure foundation for systemic change work.
Vancouver Foundation’s three-year operational funding will increase the organizational capacity required to codify internalized processes into policies, conduct high-level strategic planning activities, and create conditions for critically researching and producing contemporary art programming.
This work will be conducted by Oxygen’s staff and board of directors where they will engage in strategic planning activities and professional development to secure the centre’s future, alongside enhancements to forthcoming public contemporary art programs.
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