The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art is a non-profit artist-run centre operated by the Okanagan Artists Alternative Association. We are community-built and artist-run.

We work to enrich the lives of artists and our community through exhibitions and community-building that increase knowledge and empathy. We create meaningful work and development opportunities for artists to take risks, innovate and share new perspectives through their art, and value our role connecting artists and the public.

Exhibitions and programs are selected in line with our Vision, Mission, and Values, which are available here.

Since launching in 2011, the Members’ Gallery has exhibited the work of over 500 artists, ranging in experience from novice artists exhibiting their work for the first time, to established professional artists using the space to experiment with new projects. 

The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art is currently accepting programming submissions for our Members’ Gallery on an ongoing basis.

The Alternator Members’ Gallery is a community programming space dedicated to supporting the professional development of emerging artists and community groups. The program offers Members’ Gallery participants access to our highly visible Window Gallery that faces onto the Rotary Centre for the Arts corridor and attracts up to 200,000 visitors per year. The Members’ Gallery is open to all artists and is well-suited for artists and curators who seek to advance their practices and experiment with the unique dimensions and visibility of the gallery. We encourage participants to explore innovative installation approaches that engage visitors and align with the Alternator’s Vision, Mission, and Values. Distinct from our Professional Galleries, the Alternator does not provide financial assistance for travel, shipping, production, materials, or pay CAR/FAC fees for exhibitions as the space is un-juried.

Visit our archive to view past exhibitions.

You do not need to be a practicing artist to exhibit in the Members’ Gallery. Although the space is available exclusively to Alternator Members, individual developing artists, curators and community groups are all eligible to exhibit. If you are uncertain if your work would be a good fit for the Members’ Gallery, contact us, and we will be happy to have a chat with you about your project.

All disciplines of work are exhibited in the Members’ Gallery. The Alternator’s Vision, Mission, and Values encourage experimentation, collaboration, context, sustainability, and accessibility. If your work fits into any of these categories, then it will likely be a good fit for the Members’ Gallery!

Further, the Members’ Gallery space offers a unique hybrid between a traditional exhibition wall and a micro-installation site. We encourage artists to consider the opportunities of this specific space when selecting work for exhibition. To view examples of how the Member’s Gallery space has been activated by artists in the past, please see our archive. If you require additional information on displaying in this space, please contact us - we are more than happy to chat!

The Members’ Window Gallery is an un-juried space. The Alternator maintains a list of members interested in exhibiting in the space and contacts people (based on list order) to schedule exhibition dates. There are usually 12 members’ exhibitions per year, and it is scheduled quarterly (every three months).

As this is an un-juried exhibition space, the Alternator does not pay CAR/FAC fees for exhibitions in the Members’ Gallery.

Members’ Gallery exhibition dates and durations are coordinated with activities taking place in the Main Gallery and for this reason are not flexible.

You must be a member to exhibit in the Members’ Gallery. If you aren’t already, you can learn more and become an Alternator Member here.

Diversity and Equity
We welcome submissions from under-represented artists of all backgrounds including, but not limited to, Indigenous, Black, and racialized persons; refugee, newcomer and immigrant persons; two-spirit, LGBTQ+ and gender non-binary persons, persons with diverse abilities, and those on low-incomes or living in poverty. We are committed to ensuring equitable access to our submissions process. Please refer to our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy to learn more.

FAQs

What else is expected of me when exhibiting?

Exhibiting in the Members’ Gallery allows artists to develop their skills in standard exhibition practices and gain experience in putting together a submissions package. At the time of the exhibition, artists will need to provide an artist statement, exhibition summary, 2-4 high-resolution images for promotional purposes, exhibition title, label information, and are encouraged to participate in community outreach activites (for example, an opening reception or artist-on-site event). Furthermore, artists are expected to be present for the installation and deinstallation of their exhibitions. If you require assistance with organizing these materials, such as writing an artist statement, please get in touch as we are happy to help.

The Alternator works with the artist to provide limited assistance and support for exhibitions. The Alternator does not provide transportation, insurance, or an exhibition budget for Members’ Gallery exhibitions.

Do you have a gallery floorplan?

Yes, please see below or download the PDF.

I still have more questions, who can I contact?

Any questions about the gallery or submission process can be sent to info@alternatorcentre.com.

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