About Eyelevel
Prioritizing treaty, accessibility, and care, Eyelevel supports the production and presentation of socially-engaged artistic practices through arts programming outside of the traditional white-wall gallery.
Our Values
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To be a trustworthy and reliable resource for local artists, arts workers and community
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To give generously to our local communities, partners and collaborators
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To always be open to growth
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To practice fairness and radical transparency in our decisions, actions and relationships
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To create spaces that centre care, inclusivity, thoughtfulness and reciprocity
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To live and work in Treaty and Solidarity
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To oppose and disrupt oppression and violence in all forms including, but not limited to: sexism, misogyny, transmisogyny, ableism, ageism, sizeism, homophobia, transphobia heterocentrism, racism and white supremacy.
Mandate
Eyelevel is an arts worker/artist-run organization mandated to present and support the development of socially-relevant and thought-provoking artistic practices locally, regionally and nationally. Eyelevel supports artists through residencies, mentorship, publishing and presentation outside of a traditional gallery context that is accompanied by care-oriented and trauma-informed artistic, professional and personal support. Eyelevel aims to raise public awareness and capacity of our local arts community; particularly artists and arts workers who have been historically underserved and misrepresented in the contemporary art dialogue. Eyelevel strives to be a connector between artists, communities and the broader public, to constantly question the balance of power and work against systemic oppression and discrimination by centring anti-violence and pro-survivor practices. Eyelevel works in treaty to build a more inclusive and caring world through art, and to advance positive change within the arts through its operations, policies and programming.
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brief history
Eye Level Gallery Society evolved from Inventions Gallery, established in 1972 by a group of women artists. In 1974, Inventions changed its name to Eye Level Gallery Society and opened its membership to include all genders. The centre offered an alternative to the mandates and practices of established art institutions. In addition to its visual arts program, Eyelevel sponsored other cultural activities including music and dance performances and media arts projects. This support led to the development of two other artist-run organizations in Halifax—Live Art Dance and the Centre for Art Tapes. Eyelevel is a member of the Atlantis (the Association of Artist-Run Centres from the Atlantic). Eyelevel recently dedicated its program to projects outside of a formal gallery space. Our office space remains a hub for our membership and the public, providing access to The Eyelevel Bookstore, and 4 artist studios spaces rented on a permanent basis and used for residency programming
Eyelevel programs primarily in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) a city situated on unceded and unsurrendered Mi'kmaq territory. We recognize that as uninvited guests located in a historically African Nova Scotian, low-income, and racialized community that we are contributing to the ongoing gentrification of the North End. Eyelevel strives to honour our neighbours through building long-lasting and trusting relationships with those around us through our programming, opportunities, prioritization of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and other underserved communities, and reperations. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Canada Council, Arts Nova Scotia, Halifax, our members, donors, and volunteers.
