Richmond Public Library

What kinds of installation setup does your space have to offer?

We have hanging systems (17), floor space for sculpture and tabletop space.

Are there artists from specific regions that you are interested in showcasing?

Local Artists

Regional Artists

National

Is there a specific medium/genre of art making that your organization focuses on?

Ceramic

Contemporary Art

Crafts

Folk Art

Indigenous Art

Media Art

Public Art

Sculptural

Socially Engaged (that takes place outside of the traditional white-walled gallery)

Textiles

Are you a member of CARFAC?

No

Does your organization have a membership(s) that artists can join?

Yes

Our membership is available through library cards.

Do you have an active relationship with the local First Nations and Indigenous communities?

The library has an active relationship with local Indigenous communities, and regularly connects with them to lead development of and collaboration on programming for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.

Do you have a diversity strategy, anti-racism or decolonization statement in place and can it be found on your website?

Yes

yourlibrary.ca/about/library-policies/#v-pills-Diversity_Inclusion

What are your current actions and  future commitments to build or maintain your relationship with the First Nations and Indigenous artists and community?

The library is committed to taking steps towards Truth and Reconciliation through staff training, connecting with local Indigenous community members, building our Indigenous Perspectives collection, and building programming that highlights Indigenous culture and community. We are also in ongoing communication with local Indigenous groups and organizations that support Indigenous community members, and through this communication highlight opportunities for artists to showcase their work.

Are you aware of Indigenous Protocols for the visual arts in your community?

No

Do you offer land acknowledgements?

At this time the library does not offer land acknowledgments; however, we do have a Welcoming Statement that is offered in Board packages, in meetings and at programming and events. The Welcoming Statement is as follows: The Richmond Public Library is located on the ancestral territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples.

Are there specific power dynamics that your organization has identified? And what are your current actions to address them?

As a library space that has adopted display areas, rather than a space designed specifically as a gallery, our organization is challenged by our being a library first. We work within the “white cube” display strategy as a result of this; however, we are exploring alternate use of space through the library (including experimenting with tabletop and easel displays, and opening the floor space to 3D sculpture).

This space is not designated as a space for professional artists; rather, it is a community space and so we are not able to provide compensation to artists who display in our space. Our current action to address this includes partnering with other organizations who are able to fund displays, and collaborating with other departments to fund programming that can also support artists.

The purpose of our art space is to provide a collaborative space for community members to share their culture, stories and experience; specifically, we wish for this space to be one where underrepresented community groups see themselves reflected. While inclusivity and accessibility are our primary goals, we note that our space may not be accessible for all abilities. Future goals to address accessibility include providing display spaces of different levels (for example, tables of different heights), including descriptions (audio and braille) of the art pieces, and prioritizing tactile elements in display to ensure multisensory experience.

Is your organization accessible via any of the following?

ASL translation

Elevators

Wheelchair accessibility

What opportunities do you offer for emerging artists?

Educational Outreach

Exhibitions

Workshops

How does your exhibition selection process work?

We are proactive in seeking art for our display space, prioritizing reach-out to underrepresented groups. We also have an Expression of Interest form available on our website; interested artists can submit their art through this form.

Do you offer other methods or opportunities for artists to showcase their works?

Community/Programming (ex: member shows)

What supports do you provide for exhibiting artists?

We support exhibiting artists through promotion of their displays and any related programming Promotion can include press releases, posters, social media posts and information on our website.

Which CARFAC Fees do you pay for exhibitions?

N/A

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?

N/A

What accessibility supports do you have for artists?

Hanging Height

Translations (ex: brail, ASL, etc)

We always have staff available on-site who can assist with installation and take-down as needed.

What ways do you compensate artists?

At this time we are unable to provide monetary or in-kind compensation. Our artist recognition is limited to promotion, exposure and the opportunity to be part of library programming.