Building an Art Institution? Here's What to Keep in Mind!

Week number 4 at the Summer Academy hosted a very dynamic class in institution building led by Diana Campbell Betancourt. A keen and energetic group of students came with their own ideas, some of which changed completely in the course of one week, all in favor of laying a firm conceptual foundation of their future institutions. With the class ending in seven clearly defined solutions, all of the course takers united in making a unified list of the necessary steps when it comes to this type of venture. A jolly crowd agreed to share this information with me and here I am, sharing it with you.

Transcribed from the white board, I present you with:

Some guidelines for a good art institution

• Cognizant of the need for gender balance

• Promotes and is centered on artists

• Produces public value

• Engages diverse communities

• Can dynamically adapt/respond to shifting contextual needs

• Demonstrate sustainable impact (producing value, not draining the resources)

• Pays the team fairly (including the artists!)

• Is educational and accessible platform, generous with knowledge

• Has no power hierarchies

• Is transparent in terms of funding and sources (ethical funds sources)

• Respects intellectual property

• Defends artists’ voices and supports freedom of speech, while promoting safe communities.

Assuming that administrative steps in founding an institution are all similar and might vary depending on the locale, the list provided by the class can be seen as the ultimate guide in ethics and principles of a contemporary art institution. I trust it will be of use!

***

During the weekend, I went to the quarry again to hear the lecture of Andreas Lolis. I will follow up with this story tomorrow, as we welcome new teachers and classes at the Summer Academy today. Today, the final chapter begins and I am a little anxious, a little sad and a little happy at the same time.

Happy Monday all!

Ana