Gachet’s mission is to support and advance artists who experience mental illness, disability, or poverty, where people who have experienced marginalization feel fully supported in their struggle for a creative life and career.
Our Basis of Unity
-We agree to support the artistic and professional development of our community as a means to achieve social, cultural and economic justice
-We agree to support the wellness of people marginalized by their mental health, trauma and/or abuse experience
-We work for the elimination of discrimination against people marginalized by their mental health, trauma and/or abuse experience
-We believe in the expression and practice of art and culture as a human right
-We agree to promote the critical function of art and culture in building a healthy society
-We believe art is a means for survival, self-expression and health
9 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1G4
6046872468
Tell us about your organization:
What kinds of installation setup does your space have to offer?
Multi-media, plinths, audio, floor plan, street level entry, wheelchair accessible.
Are there artists from specific regions that you are interested in showcasing?
Local Artists
Regional Artists
National
International
Is there a specific medium/genre of art making that your organization focuses on?
Contemporary Art
Deaf, Disability, and Mad arts, Outsider arts, BIPOC arts
Are you a member of CARFAC?
Yes
Does your organization have a membership(s) that artists can join?
Yes
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
Do you have an active relationship with the local First Nations and Indigenous communities?
We have sought and accepted advice, and regularly include First Nations and Indigenous artists. We invite leadership from Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous Elders, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and artists; their wisdom and insight help guide our process, and they are provided with honoraria to honour their time and expertise.
Do you have a diversity strategy, anti-racism or decolonization statement in place and can it be found on your website?
Yes
gachet.org/statement-of-solidarity-with-black-lives-matter-and-commitment-to-anti-racism/
What are your current actions and future commitments to build or maintain your relationship with the First Nations and Indigenous artists and community?
We work to educate within the Gallery’s community, regarding our occupation of territory, and the ongoing legacies of colonization, while looking to artistic and intellectual leadership from Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh learning materials, participants, artists, educators and elders. We are deeply informed by the legacy of Indigenous women leaders who have sustained community in the DTES for decades.
We work with community-recognized educators and relations that grow our capacity to listen and engage with respectful, non-appropriating “open hearts and minds”, and respect the importance of not engaging with sites of cultural significance. We bridge relations with multiply-dispossessed/displaced; diverse and creative urban Indigenous communities that live and work in the neighbourhood, to strengthen connections beyond limitations of poverty, class and mental health stigma experienced by many artists working here.
Are you aware of Indigenous Protocols for the visual arts in your community?
Yes
Do you offer land acknowledgements?
Yes, during events and programs
Yes, on our website
Yes, on printed matter and promotional materials (postcards, brochures, business cards, etc.)
Are there specific power dynamics that your organization has identified? And what are your current actions to address them?
Contending with systemic attitudes that diminish the standing of community arts relative to professional arts is a challenge, as reflected in policies and attitudes of funders and professional organizations. This also contributes to stigma and marginalization of low-income artists with lived experience of addictions, trauma, and mental health diagnoses. For example, CARFAC sets different rates for community arts versus professional artist fees, devaluing the work of self-taught marginalized artists who tend to be low-income. Our programming has tirelessly tried to intervene these interlocking systems in order to shift attitudes and policies that reinforce stigma and diminish agency, and find ways to offer specific support for artists to gain access to opportunities to share their artwork with audiences through Gachet.
Is your organization accessible via any of the following?
Map of space with room/hallway dimensions
Wheelchair accessibility
What opportunities do you offer for emerging artists?
Educational Outreach
Exhibitions
Mentorships
Studio Space
Workshops
Submission Process
How does your exhibition selection process work?
Submissions to a Programming Committee/Jury
gachet.org/annual-submission-process-2023/
Do you offer other methods or opportunities for artists to showcase their works?
Artist Talks
Community/Programming (ex: member shows)
Workshops
What supports do you provide for exhibiting artists?
Shipping (one way)
Two Way Shipping
(Value up to) Insurance
Listings and newsletters
Exhibition catalogues, promotional pamphlets and posters
CARFAC Fees
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for exhibitions?
Solo
Group
Performance
Media art screenings and presentations
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for digital programming?
N/A
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for non-commercial reproductions?
N/A
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for commercial reproductions?
N/A
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for artist professional services?
Presentation and consultation fees
Jury fees
Writing fees
Other Offered Support for Artists
What accessibility supports do you have for artists?
Grant Writing Support
Alternative Submission Methods (ex: video submissions vs written, etc)
Consultations
What ways do you compensate artists?
Artwork Sales and Commissions
CARFAC Fees (https://carfac-raav.ca)
Honourariums