NONPROFIT EXHIBITION SPACES: AN EVOLVING ALTERNATIVE FOR ARTISTS

This thesis examines the function, structure, and place in the art world of nonprofit exhibition spaces. The more commonly discussed forms of exhibition museums and commercial galleries are failing a majority of artists. An artist’s career cannot be built on the hope of finding the perfect networking connection or creating the perfect commercially viable piece. Limiting the most visible and celebrated parts of the art world to the pieces that are most suited to commercialism also limits the creation of art in size, medium, color, and content. Academic research on art exhibition has focused a significant amount of interest on museums and commercial gallery spaces, making the options for artists seem narrow. While these two spaces hold a major role in art exhibition, they are not the only options. Whether it be to help grow an artist’s career or simply give them the space to exhibit their work, nonprofit exhibition spaces have taken on the role of working with artists in a more accessible way.