Struts Gallery supports the creative practices of local, regional, and national artists through residencies, affordable access to specialized film & video equipment, professional development, training, and mentorship. We strive to connect artists at all career stages with a range of communities, audiences, and participants through accessible public programming and outreach activities, including exhibitions, screenings, workshops, talks, performances, and publishing projects.
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OPEN STUDIO
Open Studio is a series of five-week artist residencies that offer a professional artist fee, per diem, travel expenses, accommodation, studio space within the gallery, and access to our media art equipment. Artists are offered the freedom to continue their practice, develop a new project or site-specific work, and are encouraged to creatively engage with the community through talks, workshops, or other artist-initiated events. The Open Studio program aims to develop artists’ practices by supporting experimentation without the pressure to present a resolved body of work.
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Open Studio Artists in Residence are selected annually through a call for proposals. The call for submissions is posted in late August and the deadline is October 15. Proposals are reviewed by a selection committee of peer assessors. (Visit our Open Calls page.)
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EXHIBITIONS
We program three exhibitions annually. Exhibitions are approximately 8 weeks long and selected from an open call for submissions. We pay current CARFAC rates for exhibitions. Application deadlines very but are generally posted in the fall with 6-8 weeks notice. Proposals are reviewed by a selection committee of peer assessors. (Visit our Open Calls page.)
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MEDIA ARTS CENTRE
Our Media Arts production centre is a central part of our program, facilitating a wide range of formats. We offer members and visiting artists access to our extensive professional media art equipment holdings, ranging from cutting-edge digital to vintage analogue. Our staff are committed to providing guidance and mentorship through one-on-one training, media art workshops, and access to a series of equipment and tech tip tutorials available to stream on YouTube.​​
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MEDIA ARTS PRODUCTION FUND
This is a regional initiative open to artists living in Atlantic Canada that supports the creation of independent media arts projects including video, audio, XR, film, new media, performance, electronics, 3D printing, and other time-based art. Successful applicants will receive financial support, which can be used towards materials and production expenses, equipment purchases, and/or living expenses. The recipient also receives an in-house production credit, including equipment rental, software use, facilities use, and support and training from Struts staff. Short-term accommodations in our artist apartments may be available upon request. The Media Arts Production Fund does not include funds towards travel though staff can provide letters of support for any artists applying for travel grants to use its facilities.
Recipients of the Media Arts Production Fund are selected annually through a call for proposals which opens in the fall. Proposals are reviewed by a selection committee of peer assessors, (Visit our Open Calls page.)​
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SCREENINGS
We complement our media production activity with a selection of free public screenings throughout the year. Programs are selected through a combination of open calls, touring partnerships, and independent curators and filmmakers. We’ve recently partnered with Galerie Sans Nom, South Asian Visual Arts Centre, Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre, Gooselane Publishing, and the Canadian Film Centre. If you're interested in submitting a screening for consideration, please email info@strutsgallery.ca and check out our Open Calls page for the latest. We pay current IMAA Screening Fees.
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L'AMBIANCE
Struts Gallery has been partnering with SappyFest, our local independent music festival, since its inception in 2006. Our complementary programming supports a range of short-term, offsite, artist projects at venues around Sackville, adjacent to the thriving music festival. Our call for submission is open to national and regional artists with 3-5 projects selected annually. We support each project with artist fees, production budget, equipment, and installation, promotional, and administrative assistance. SappyFest provides the participating artists with a festival pass and artist hospitality access.
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SWEETEST LITTLE THING
Initiated in 1999, the Sweetest Little Thing is the most important annual fundraising event for the Owens Art Gallery and Struts Gallery in Sackville, NB. Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting programming at both galleries. This event is made possible by the generosity of local, national, and internationally recognized artists who have established connections with our galleries and community. Learn more about it here.
LIVING IS EASY
Living Is Easy is an ongoing professional development program for Struts Gallery members to use the gallery for self-directed exploration for a project period of 2 weeks. This could entail documenting work, installing an exhibition, hosting workshops, and/or experimenting with process in the studio space. Participating artists have the support of Gallery staff and access to tools and equipment during their project period. Struts Gallery will also promote the program and participants through its website, social media, and newsletter.
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Living Is Easy project periods take place between May – August. Applications for the year open in late February.
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SWAP MEET
Swap Meet is a bi-monthly gathering of Struts Gallery members. Each Swap Meet sees informal and brief presentations by artists in the community on a given theme, followed by questions from the audience. Part professional development, part community social, Swap Meet’s themes are member sourced. Most Swap Meets fall on the second Tuesday of the month. Contact admin@strutsgallery.ca for more information. ​​​​
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START GALLERY
As part of our support and mentorship of young and emerging artists in the region, we have been hosting Start Gallery in our facilities since 1997. Start Gallery is a juried gallery space designated for and run by Mount Allison Fine Arts students. The gallery is administered by a student coordinator. Exhibitions are held during the fall and winter semesters. This initiative provides Fine Arts, Art History and Museum & Curatorial Studies students the opportunity for hands-on development of professional practices. Check out START Gallery's Instagram
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MEMBERSHIP & COMMUNITY
Struts Gallery remains open and responsive to our members and the communities we serve. We accommodate a range of one-off, member-led, community focused events, and support a variety of initiatives that fall outside our core programming in any given year. We often support other organizations, fundraisers, and community members with in-kind support of equipment, space, or other resources.