WHO ARE WE?

SKOL is a self-managed artist-run centre and a non-profit organization founded in 1986 by Marie-France Beaudoin and Myriam Merette, art historians. Since then, the centre has been run by artists, primarily in the field of visual or interdisciplinary arts. It aims to support the creation, production and dissemination of contemporary art outside traditional commercial or institutional circuits.

Mandate

Established since 1984, the Centre des arts actuels SKOL presents free events and exhibitions open to all. As a self-managed artist-run centre, it prioritizes artistic freedom and is dedicated to supporting artists. The centre adopts a critical and experimental approach that fosters opportunities for reflection, encounters and intergenerational, intercultural and interdisciplinary exchanges. Its diverse programming is characterized by its appetite for risk-taking, performance and engaged, unifying projects.

SKOL supports its members by nurturing their research, exhibiting and promoting their work, and by offering them a community space. Driven by a spirit of self-management and social equity, SKOL is a welcoming and open place, reaching out to diverse audiences. Alongside its programming, its internal workings are organized collegially, attentive to its members, artists and the evolution of the artistic milieu.

Values

SKOL is a place of potentiality, exchange, and learning where trust, autonomy, experimentation, and risk-taking are valued.

Structure

SKOL offers a flexible framework conducive to the initiation and support of new projects. The Centre is structured by its mandate, traditions, shared values, programming processes, as well as by the ongoing conversations of its active members, whether arts professionals, interns, or students.

Geographic Location

Since the summer of 2004, SKOL has occupied a space on the 4th floor of the Belgo building in the heart of downtown Montréal. Close to the public and well frequented by arts enthusiasts, and at the confluence of Montréal’s three major universities, attendance is stable, with peaks during major public events and partnership initiatives. Proximity to other contemporary art venues allows for the sharing of material and promotional resources, particularly at the start of the cultural season and at other high-visibility moments.

SKOL Community

In addition to the annual membership assembly, the “Skollège” (assembly of active members meeting approximately four times a year) serves as a reference group for both emerging artists in the process of professionalization and members seeking connection with new methods, theories, and practices in the visual arts and interdisciplinary fields. The Skollège thus contributes to reflection on the Centre’s artistic directions. SKOL carries out ongoing work to promote its exhibitions to students from CEGEPs and universities as well as school and community groups.

Process

SKOL builds its programming from projects received through its annual open call. It is also receptive to innovative initiatives proposed by its active members — those who are involved throughout the year by giving their time. SKOL also supports off-site initiatives and one-time events. However, these projects require greater autonomy from the artists in terms of realization and financing.

Although the programming committee favours original personal projects, the Centre may present a travelling exhibition circulating through the artist-run centre network on the basis of the relevance of its content.

Collaborations

Evaluated on a case-by-case basis, SKOL is open to collaboration. Alliances, partnerships and exchanges allow actions to be carried out at various scales, aimed at both a festival audience (Nuit Blanche in Montréal, Journées de la culture) and small groups in a more intimate context (SKOL/CEDA, Viva!, RAIQ). Collaboration enables strategic resource sharing, the exchange of ideas, and the crossing of know-how.