# What Is an Artist-Run Space? By Marius Pașculea | 2026-09-30 HTML version: https://antre.art/blog/what-is-an-artist-run-space/ > An artist-run space is an exhibition venue managed by a group of artists. Definition, how it differs from a commercial gallery, and how Canadian artist-run centres are organized. ## Short answer An artist-run space is an exhibition venue or similar facility that artists form a group to manage themselves, rather than leaving it to a museum, a commercial gallery or another institution. ## Key facts - Also called artist-led space; the term replaces older labels such as "alternative" or "independent" space, which do not mean exactly the same thing (Christian Besson, Critique d'art) - Can be a gallery, a theatre, a bookshop or an archive (Besson) - Often takes a non-commercial approach and non-hierarchical organization (Gavin Murphy, Artist-Run Europe) - In Canada, artist-run centres are non-profit organizations governed by a board elected by their members, mostly professional artists (ARCA) ## How does an artist-run space work? Besson describes artists forming a group "so that they themselves can manage" a venue. Murphy describes the model as supporting experimental or unrepresented forms of practice, and notes that these spaces are often run on a voluntary basis and are often precarious. ## How is it different from a commercial gallery? A commercial gallery operates primarily as a business that sells art and represents artists, according to Sotheby's Institute of Art. Sotheby's Institute groups artist-run initiatives with non-profit galleries that focus on promoting art rather than selling it. Murphy describes the artist-run model as a non-commercial approach to producing art and culture. Some artist-run spaces may still sell work. The sources cited here describe the model by its governance and aims, not by whether a sale ever happens. ## Where does the model come from? Murphy traces today's artist-run culture to the counter-culture of the 1960s and 1970s. He says these spaces arose from a gap: artists were dissatisfied with, or unable to access, the established venues. The Canadian association ARCA dates artist-run centres in Canada to the late 1960s and counts about 170 of them. ## How are artist-run centres organized in Canada? ARCA describes them as non-profit organizations run by a board that members elect at an annual general meeting. Members include artists, curators, art historians and educators. Centres can be galleries, studios, production facilities, archives, publishing houses, bookstores and festivals. ## FAQ ### What is an artist-run space in one sentence? A venue that a group of artists manage themselves. ### Is it the same as an alternative or independent space? Besson says the term replaces those names but they do not have exactly the same meaning. ### Is an artist-run space a gallery? It can be. It can also be a theatre, a bookshop or an archive. ### Is it non-profit? In Canada, ARCA describes artist-run centres as non-profit. Elsewhere the sources describe a non-commercial approach as typical, not a rule. ### How do you find one? Cities usually list them locally. This article does not cite a directory. ## About Antre Antre is building an app that gives artworks their context. Join the waiting list. ## Sources - Christian Besson, "Artist-run spaces", Critique d'art 49 (2017), translated by Simon Pleasance: [https://journals.openedition.org/critiquedart/27133?lang=en](https://journals.openedition.org/critiquedart/27133?lang=en) - Gavin Murphy, "What makes artist-run spaces different?", introduction to Artist-Run Europe: [https://artist-run.eu/introduction](https://artist-run.eu/introduction) - ARCA, What is an Artist-Run Centre?: [http://www.arca.art/en/files/ARCA_ARTS-308_EN.pdf](http://www.arca.art/en/files/ARCA_ARTS-308_EN.pdf) - Sotheby's Institute of Art, Understanding the Basics of Contemporary Art Galleries (March 19, 2024): [https://sothebysinstitute.com/articles/how-to-series-art-gallery/](https://sothebysinstitute.com/articles/how-to-series-art-gallery/)