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Artist cooperative
An artist cooperative (also co-operative or co-op) is an autonomous visual arts organization, enterprise, or association jointly owned and democratically controlled by its members. Artist cooperatives are legal entities organized as non-capital stock corporations, non-profit organizations, or unincorporated associations. Such cooperatives typically provide professional facilities and services for its artist-members, including studios, workshops, equipment, exhibition galleries, and educational resources. By design, all economic and non-economic benefits and liabilities of the cooperative are shared equally among its members. Cooperative members elect their board of directors from within the membership. Artist cooperatives have historically provided shared resources, exhibition opportunities, and professional support to artists outside of traditional gallery or institutional systems. In the 21st century, artist cooperatives are expanding beyond physical spaces and include digital platforms and online marketplaces that are run on cooperative principles.
Artist cooperatives have existed since at least the mid-twentieth century. The Arts and Crafts Cooperative, Inc. (ACCI) Gallery was founded in Berkeley, California in 1939 and is one of the oldest artist cooperatives in the United States. Another example of note is Magnum Photos, a photographer-owned cooperative founded in 1947. It was established in order to give photographers more control over the ownership and distribution of their photos.
In the United States in the 1970s, artist cooperatives sought alternatives to traditional art institutions and commercial galleries. Protests were had over the limited representation of women and artists of color in museums and exhibitions. This led to a number of artist-run cooperatives being established to provide exhibition opportunities, professional support, and educational resources. Artemisia Gallery and ARC Gallery were both founded in Chicago in 1973. They operated as cooperative galleries as well as educational organizations that were dedicated to increasing the visibility of women artists, and provided professional development opportunities.
Cooperative organization
Artist cooperatives are democratically owned and controlled by their members. Governance of artist cooperatives can include rotating leadership, joint decision-making, and shared responsibility for managing the organization. Members typically elect directors or other leaders from within the cooperative and they share in both the benefits and responsibilities of membership.
Unlike traditional commercial galleries, artist cooperatives are managed by their members collectively. On top of producing artwork, members contribute to administrative, marketing, exhibition, and governance activities needed to maintain the cooperative. Members of the cooperative may also contribute membership dues, volunteer labor, or other resources to support the organization and its operations.
Economic and professional support
Artist cooperatives give artists access to exhibition space, workshops, equipment, educational resources, and professional services that may be difficult to obtain on their own. Artist cooperatives can help emerging artists establish a professional reputation by providing access to markets, customers, and business support. Rural artists also may benefit from cooperative membership by gaining access to broader markets and audiences outside their local communities.
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Artist cooperative
An artist cooperative (also co-operative or co-op) is an autonomous visual arts organization, enterprise, or association jointly owned and democratically controlled by its members. Artist cooperatives are legal entities organized as non-capital stock corporations, non-profit organizations, or unincorporated associations. Such cooperatives typically provide professional facilities and services for its artist-members, including studios, workshops, equipment, exhibition galleries, and educational resources. By design, all economic and non-economic benefits and liabilities of the cooperative are shared equally among its members. Cooperative members elect their board of directors from within the membership. Artist cooperatives have historically provided shared resources, exhibition opportunities, and professional support to artists outside of traditional gallery or institutional systems. In the 21st century, artist cooperatives are expanding beyond physical spaces and include digital platforms and online marketplaces that are run on cooperative principles.
Artist cooperatives have existed since at least the mid-twentieth century. The Arts and Crafts Cooperative, Inc. (ACCI) Gallery was founded in Berkeley, California in 1939 and is one of the oldest artist cooperatives in the United States. Another example of note is Magnum Photos, a photographer-owned cooperative founded in 1947. It was established in order to give photographers more control over the ownership and distribution of their photos.
In the United States in the 1970s, artist cooperatives sought alternatives to traditional art institutions and commercial galleries. Protests were had over the limited representation of women and artists of color in museums and exhibitions. This led to a number of artist-run cooperatives being established to provide exhibition opportunities, professional support, and educational resources. Artemisia Gallery and ARC Gallery were both founded in Chicago in 1973. They operated as cooperative galleries as well as educational organizations that were dedicated to increasing the visibility of women artists, and provided professional development opportunities.
Cooperative organization
Artist cooperatives are democratically owned and controlled by their members. Governance of artist cooperatives can include rotating leadership, joint decision-making, and shared responsibility for managing the organization. Members typically elect directors or other leaders from within the cooperative and they share in both the benefits and responsibilities of membership.
Unlike traditional commercial galleries, artist cooperatives are managed by their members collectively. On top of producing artwork, members contribute to administrative, marketing, exhibition, and governance activities needed to maintain the cooperative. Members of the cooperative may also contribute membership dues, volunteer labor, or other resources to support the organization and its operations.
Economic and professional support
Artist cooperatives give artists access to exhibition space, workshops, equipment, educational resources, and professional services that may be difficult to obtain on their own. Artist cooperatives can help emerging artists establish a professional reputation by providing access to markets, customers, and business support. Rural artists also may benefit from cooperative membership by gaining access to broader markets and audiences outside their local communities.