In 2005, Justin Muir, a recent graduate from the University of Victoria, found himself attempting to curate an ad-hoc exhibition project in a warehouse space vacated by a friend of a friend. The site specific endeavour, which aimed to engage about 20 emerging artists, never came to fruition. At about the same time, four arts groups, which had been developing programming by emerging artists—The Butchershop, Misanthropy, Seamrippers, and WRKS DVSN—closed their doors. Many small organizations such as these could not afford their rent, or were not interested in formalizing their structure through incorporation.
Out of these circumstances came an idea for a new organization called Balcone. Balcone, named for the Italian version of the word ‘balcony,’ was conceived of by Muir as a flexible framework that could help him to present art both within and outside of existing conventions for mounting exhibitions. The wordplay intends to establish a parallel between the space of a balcony, with its links to both interior and exterior space. The impetus for this came from a notion that paying rent to have a semi-permanent indoor exhibition space seemed to cripple small galleries financially. The possibilities of gaining financial support through existing granting bodies was limited unless an organization is incorporated as a not-for-profit, so balcone formed as a non-profit society but operates with no permanent space, instead mounting exhibitions in temporary locations in between other uses. Aiming at accidental audiences, balcone looks for openings present what’s out there, and what isn’t.
At the outset, a volunteer board was formed to catalyze projects. They began by soliciting proposals (receiving over 100 on the first call), and attempted to develop six projects per year. Their first exhibition occurred in 2008, when photographic work by Al Bersch and Leslie Grant was exhibited on Homer Street in an office building.
Over a short duration Balcone has begun to focus project by project through slight alterations to the geographic and social possibilities offered for viewing art. It continues to experiment with site-specific platforms that respond to both the obstacles inherent in operating from a fixed location, and a desire to offer new possible experiences for interacting with art by changing its context. Most recently, balcone has begun collaborating with the artist Heidi Nagtagaal, and her project Hammock Residency to bring forward new works by predominantly emerging artists.
Founders
Julie Bevan (Secretary)
Sharon Bradley (Vice-President)
Randy Grskovic (Director)
Laura Matwichuk (Treasurer)
Justin Muir (Executive Director)
Jesse Scott (President)
First Board of Directors
Julie Bevan (Secretary)
Sharon Bradley (Vice-President)
Randy Grskovic (Director)
Laura Matwichuk (Treasurer)
Jesse Scott (President)
First Project
June 21 to July 16, 2008 Leslie Grant & Al Bersch exhibition
First Project Location
Office 710 – 318 Homer Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Original Mission and Mandate
Balcone’s mission is to create a unique context – outside of traditional frameworks – for the practice, curation, and exhibition of contemporary art in Vancouver and beyond. By programming a spectrum of events and exhibitions, Balcone’s mandate is to facilitate an engagement between contemporary artists and a diverse audience – local and national – and secure a more prominent place for art in the everyday.
Top Image: Forestry Workers with Tembec Industries in Elko British Columbia, 2008, 14” x 20”, digital print of photo by Don Jakubec Courtesy of Balcone.
