Policies

Modern Fuel's Mandate

Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre is a non-profit organization facilitating the production, presentation, and interpretation of contemporary visual, time-based and interdisciplinary arts. Modern Fuel aims to meet the professional development needs of emerging and mid-career local, national and international artists, from diverse cultural communities, through exhibition, discussion, and mentorship opportunities. Modern Fuel supports innovation and experimentation, and is committed to the education of interested publics and the diversification of its audiences.

Main Objectives

  • Encourage the exchange of information and ideas by providing a forum for critical discourse on issues pertaining to contemporary art and professional practice.
  • Promote development of artists by facilitating workshops, guest lectures and artist talks, and by integrating focused mentorships into core programming and supporting activities.
  • Present work by artists in environments away from the gallery or institutional space, as means to support a wide range of artist projects, expose members of the community-at-large to contemporary art and art-forms, and expand audiences.
  • Further the development of the New Media Workspace by continuing to acquire digital tools and equipment, making said resources available for use by artists, and providing training and production support for works in time-based media.
  • Continue to create new and innovative ways to involve young artists and audiences.
  • Increase the involvement of local people, groups, and artists who are from and/or work with visible minorities, and Aboriginal and Metis communities.
  • Forge community partnerships and collaborate with other artist-run centres and arts organizations as means to enhance the scope of available resources and impact for programs on the provincial, national and international level.

Guiding Principles

Standing policies

  • Be pro-active in presenting work by artists from diverse communities, including but not limited to communities defined by culture, artistic discipline, geography, language, age, sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Speak out as an advocate for contemporary art, artist rights and artist issues, on the local, provincial, national and international level as situations warrant or opportunities arise.
  • Pay fees to artists in accordance with the CARFAC Fee Schedule.

Programming Mandates

Modern Fuel Gallery

In our main display space, our artistic direction is oriented by a mandate to maintain a high level of regional engagement while contributing nationally and internationally to the production, dissemination and interpretation of new works/developments in contemporary art. Modern Fuel Gallery programs strive to reflect the diversity of visual and time-based practices in Canada, according to submission criteria as determined by the Programming Committee. Proposals are selected according to their exploratory character – exploratory insofar as they pose significant questions (formally, conceptually, and politically) within current artistic and broader socio-cultural contexts.

State of Flux

The State of Flux’s programming strives to feature exploratory artwork (as defined above) in visual and time-based disciplines. The State of Flux aims to present: 1) works in progress; 2) works deemed more ‘experimental’ (because they are explorations in new directions for an artist); 3) works by students and emerging artists; 4) and site specific projects that evolve within the space itself.

Art in the Streets

Art in the Streets programs aim to feature artworks in visual and time-based media that engage more assertively with the Kingston community-at-large. Proposals are selected based on their relevance to Kingston community politics and well-being and on their potential to stimulate interest within non-art and art audiences. Art in the Streets prioritises the presentation of artworks that can develop a participatory discourse between artists and non-artists.

We supplement these three programs with workshops and related events and activities that cater to the professional development needs of regional artists.
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