The Centre

Mandate

Centre des arts actuels Skol is a not-for-profit artist-run centre that presents new work by emerging artists focusing on those whose research and experimentation generates method and critical thought. Occasionally, the centre will invite more experienced artists whose exploratory or experimental approaches contribute to the development of theoretical discourse and artistic practice.

Values

Skol is a place of potential, exchange, and learning that is open to the participation of art professionals. It fosters and encourages trust, autonomy, experimentation and risk-taking.

Structure

Skol’s adaptive framework enables the emergence and support of exploratory projects. It is structured by its mission, its traditions, its shared values, its programming processes, and by the continued conversations of its active members, including art professionals, volunteers and students.

Staff

Once a year the assembly of Skol members elects a board of directors. The 2009-2010 board is composed of:

  • Nathalie Bachand, President
  • Charlotte Panaccio-Letendre, Vice-president
  • Marianne Fortier-Landry, treasurer
  • Véronique Malo, administrator
  • Chris Lloyd, administrator
  • Simon Brown, administrator
  • Sophie Castonguay, administrator

Geographic Location

Skol resides on the 3rd floor of the Belgo Building in downtown Montreal. Frequented by every kind of art-user and at the confluence of the Musée d’art contemporain and three Montreal universities, the location brings the Centre close to its audiences, with significant increases in use during large-scale public events and joint initiatives. The proximity of other contemporary art centres also allows us to share material and promotional resources.

Community Served

Focused on experimentation, Skol serves as a resource for the professionalization of emerging artists as well as for more established members seeking to connect and exchange through regular meetings of our «Skollège», an organisational-wide thinking body.
Much energy is dedicated to applying outreach strategies to promote our exhibition visits amongst college and university students as well as community groups. For more info, see our Apprendre/Learn section.

Processes

Skol’s programming in the gallery spaces is mainly based on projects received through its annual call for submissions, although it is also open to the creative initiatives of its active members, i.e., those who regularly take part in its various committees throughout the year. Skol also supports off-site initiatives and special events. Such projects require greater autonomy on the part of the artist in conceiving and producing the project, including financing. For more info, see call for proposals section.

Strategic collaborations

In recent years, in projects large and small, we have partnered with groups in both the art scene and the community at large. Whether geared toward general audiences—festivals, for instance—or toward smaller, more intimate groups, these projects are intended for the initiated and the uninitiated alike. Not only does collaboration favour access to contemporary production, it also allows for the strategic pooling of resources, the exchange of ideas, and a sharing of knowledge.

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