Other Sights’ Projects consider the aesthetic, economic, and regulatory conditions of public places and public life. Operating as a Vancouver-based artist collective, Other sights creates a presence for art in spaces and sites that are accessible to a broad public.
3810 Commercial St, Vancouver, BC V5N 4G2
6043622484
Tell us about your organization:
What kinds of installation setup does your space have to offer?
We do not own a space for exhibition, we seek out venues and public space to show work on behalf of artists. The site and equipment are dependent on what the artist needs in order to show/create their work.
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?
Public Art
Socially Engaged (that takes place outside of the traditional white-walled gallery)
Are you a member of CARFAC?
No
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?
Other Sights’ General Manager and Producers work closely with Indigenous board members from the Musqueam, Métis, and Cree communities who advise, critique and offer insight and knowledge on all of our projects.
The Blue Cabin’s inaugural residency series, Skeins (2019-2022), explored the role of weaving in Host Nation cultural practice and governance as it engaged audiences in False Creek, Vancouver. Working with matriarchs featured in Skeins in 2020, Other Sights’ guest curators Sierra Tasi Baker and Paisley Eva Nahanee, presented MST Futurism: Decolonizing the City through a Matriarchal Lens, a conversation that re-imagined the city through intergenerational dialogue between matriarchs and youth visionaries from Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. These programs – in addition to supporting the work of MST artists – greatly informed our understanding of issues of cultural safety, Indigenous traditions and contemporary concerns, and strengthened these relationships. A more recent project Sovereign Waterways (2021-2024) is a reciprocal collaboration with Host Consulting in which we offer our expertise in public art innovation to these emerging curators/public art consultants while seeking guidance on MST values, relations and visions. Working with three artists from MST, Sovereign Waterways will amplify Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh presence and broaden recognition for Host Consulting.
Do you have a diversity strategy, anti-racism or decolonization statement in place and can it be found on your website?
No
What are your current actions and future commitments to build or maintain your relationship with the First Nations and Indigenous artists and community?
Other Sights integrates Indigenous consultation and builds relationships with communities within our current and ongoing projects such as the Foreshore Series, FLEET and The Blue Cabin through invited curators, convenors, speakers, and advisors. Our succession planning involves building trust and strong bonds with invited artists, curators and consultants toward the goal of expanding the producer team. As the founders of the organization eventually step back from more active roles, we aim to ensure a sustainable and nimble organization that will meet the needs of multiple artistic, Indigenous and equity-deserving communities in the future.
Are you aware of Indigenous Protocols for the visual arts in your community?
Yes
Do you offer land acknowledgements?
Yes, during events and programs
Are there specific power dynamics that your organization has identified? And what are your current actions to address them?
The quieter work of fostering positive environments that are “safe” for both the community and the artist to thrive is a key aspect to the work that we do and is rooted in a wider view of accessibility – who gets to experience public art and how? Exploring spaces of contestation and sites of unclear jurisdiction, both physically and conceptually, we work to amplify a diverse range of voices and perspectives.
While we are grateful for the commitment and guidance of equity-deserving communities represented at the Board level, we acknowledge that our team of producers needs broader representation in this regard. Our succession planning involves building trust and strong bonds with invited curators and consultants toward the goal of expanding the producer team.
Is your organization accessible via any of the following?
ASL translation
Image and/or video descriptions for in person content
Image and/or video descriptions for online content
Subtitling in videos
We are working on upgrading our website to make it compatible
What opportunities do you offer for emerging artists?
Artist in Residence
Educational Outreach
Exhibitions
Mentorships
Studio Space
Workshops
Temporary Public Art Exhibition Opportunities
Submission Process
How does your exhibition selection process work?
By Invitation: Other Sights Producers present to the producer group project ideas, and then they work together as a group or as individuals to create these projects in collaboration with curators, and artists. Artists are invited by guest curators, or by Other Sights Producers to work on projects Ongoing open invitation: Artists and/or Curators are welcome to reach out to Other Sights producers with ideas for projects, events, performances. The collective will discuss the opportunity and determine if the project falls within the organization’s mission, vision and areas of interest and research. The producer team provides support on all aspects of the project as needed by the artist and/or curator should producers choose to pursue the project.
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?
Listings and newsletters
Liability insurance for projects
CARFAC Fees
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for exhibitions?
All of the above based on a project to project basis
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for digital programming?
All of the above based on a project to project basis
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for non-commercial reproductions?
All of the above based on a project to project basis
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for commercial reproductions?
All of the above based on a project to project basis
Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for artist professional services?
All of the above based on a project to project basis
Other Offered Support for Artists
What accessibility supports do you have for artists?
We do not have a physical space, but we take into consideration potential spaces and accessibility when planning events and activities. We also post what access is available in our event descriptions, online as well as in person. We invite folks to reach out if they require assistance and support them if we are able to provide the support that they need to be a part of the project/event.
What ways do you compensate artists?
CARFAC Fees (https://carfac-raav.ca)
Honourariums