The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art works to improve the well-being of artists, and our community, by creating a just and equitable world where artists are supported to contribute to society through their art.

Why Join the Alternator?

Many artists encounter challenges establishing a sustainable professional practice, particularly when their work lies outside commercial contexts. Canada is home to over 200,000 professional artists. In BC one in every 72 workers is an artist, but the median personal income of artists is around $30,000 - 39% lower than the typical income of all Canadian workers. 

We know that artists have limited long-term support structures to aid their success. 2023 sector research identified a need for support at different stages of artists’ creative careers. 28% of BC artists report a need for more work opportunities.  In the BC Interior, this climbs to 56%.

At the root of this, we believe the transformational potential of contemporary art is under-recognized in the broader community, resulting in a lack of support and funding for artists. Participation in arts and culture activities has a strong statistical connection with the overall health and well-being of Canadians; Public art gallery visitors are 14% more likely to report very good or excellent health than non-visitors and people who make or perform art are 11% more likely to report above-average satisfaction with life than those who do not. 

Joining the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art can help you build new connections in our community and support the cultural vibrancy of our region. And, it helps the Alternator provide sustainable work and development opportunities for artists at all levels, building bridges between artists and the community.

Our Values

Experimentation • to support risk-taking, innovation and the advancement of creative practice.

Collaboration • between artists, organizations and our community to create new ideas, methods and ways of understanding.

Context • through engagement with our community, culture and place. We value our role in driving the creative sector in our regional community, and within the cultural milieu of Canada and beyond.  

Sustainability • in our processes, policies and governance, to ensure our community, our organization and the artists we work with are nurtured and enriched for future generations. 

Accessibility • for artists and our community to engage with our activities, regardless of race, gender, age, income, education, or ability.

Do you share our Vision and Values?
  
Join our legacy as we shape the cultural life of Kelowna, and beyond.

Membership at the Alternator includes the following benefits:

• Opportunity to develop a solo or group show in the Alternator Members’ Gallery

• Show and sell your work in our annual members’ exhibition.

• Participate in exclusive members activities like The Assembly and ArtMart

• Reduced admission to Alternator ticketed events (workshops, performances, etc.)

• One-on-one access to staff to solicit feedback on exhibition proposals and your art 

• Opportunities to become more involved and integrated in Kelowna’s arts community

• Voting privileges at our Annual General Meeting and ability to stand for election to the Board of Directors

• After-hours access to facilities (based on a formal application)

• The knowledge that you’re directly supporting your local artist-run centre!

Membership rates:

• Individual $50

• Senior / Student $35

• Family $90

• Organization $150

• Volunteer with us in lieu of payment

Volunteering with Alternator allows you to make a contribution to the local arts community, gain practical experience in a professional artist-run centre and network with artists.

Plus, your contribution of 12 or more hours of volunteer work gets you an Alternator membership for a year! This encompasses all the privileges of a full member, including access to the Members’ Gallery.

For more information about volunteering at the Alternator visit Do Some Good.

Keep up to date with openings, opportunities for artists and other events.

Stay Connected

Stay connected and up to date on all events, programming, and opportunities by following us on Instagram and Facebook.

Visit our Youtube to see our Alternator Chats, including artist talks and our Professional Development series focused on grant and proposal writing, ways to maintain an art-life balance, selling your artwork, tax tips for artists, and more.

You can contribute to the success of the Alternator in many ways, and financial contributions are just one path to help us achieve our vision. 

Becoming a donor to the Alternator lets our artists know that what they do is important. Not just to them personally, but to our city and beyond. 

Donations can take several forms. Planned monthly or yearly donations help us with cash flow, which allows us to purchase supplies, and manage our facilities. One-time donations provide us with the capital to put on exhibitions and special events for the community.

Donating to the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art:

• helps artists in our region and across Canada develop sustainable careers.
• supports our public programming, showcasing socially-engaged artwork that encourages empathy and understanding in our community.
•  improves the cultural vibrancy of our region, and increases the recognition of art in our community.

Learn more on our Canada Helps page!

The Alternator welcomes practicum inquiries from students and artist/administrators in training. Please contact us 1:1 to discuss your learning goals!