Donate
1–18 Apr 2022
Blindside is launching a major fundraising campaign through the Australian Cultural Fund to raise an immediate $25,000 this April. Established in 2004, the artist-run, not-for-profit gallery, based in Melbourne’s iconic Nicholas Building, is facing program and staff cuts and a threat to its future.
Blindside is appealing to the community to donate between 4 – 17 April 2022. In partnership with the Australian Cultural Fund, all donations over $2 are 100% tax deductible.
In a highly competitive, post-Covid funding environment, Blindside has lost support from Creative Victoria for 2022 government funding.
The $70,000 income loss follows 8 years of consistent support from Creative Victoria. It comes after a period of uncertainty following the Nicholas Building being put up for sale in 2021, casting a further shadow over our future.
In 2019, Blindside achieved its goal to make exhibition space free (no hire fees) and to pay more artists, curators and writers for their work. Blindside recognises that underpayment and non-payment in the arts are hugely detrimental to artists’ incomes, wellbeing and career sustainability.
Since 2014, Blindside’s vision for an expanded program of opportunities for artists, curators and writers has included:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Artist Mentorship, Emerging Curator Mentorship and First Nations Project
SATELLITE - screen-based exhibitions viewed online and at public sites across Australia
REGIONAL RESIDENCY - artist residencies at a National Trust Victoria property
MOBILE - artist/writer commissions for Blindside’s new digital platform
NEW WORKS - curated special projects with partners including Liquid Architecture, Channels Festival and PHOTO 2022
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT - curated public programs to nurture creative practices and networks
Currently impacted 2022 programs and resourcing includes:
– Canceled: Artist Mentorship Initiative
– Canceled: First Nations Project
– Canceled: Blindside Satellite (video works on public screens across Melbourne)
– Cuts to project fees for Emerging Curator Mentorship, Blindside Mobile (online exhibitions) and Screen series
– Cuts to gallery staff hours
– Cuts to technician hours
– Cuts to gallery maintenance
– Fewer artists engaged for Blindside Mobile
– No fees for PHOTO 2022 curators
– No fee increase to artists
While conversations with funding bodies are ongoing, Blindside needs immediate support to continue its vision and mission. Your small change or generous gift will make all the difference. The arts ecosystem all starts from grassroots organisations like Blindside. All money raised will go directly to programs supporting artists.
Blindside is launching a major fundraising campaign through the Australian Cultural Fund to raise an immediate $25,000 this April. Established in 2004, the artist-run, not-for-profit gallery, based in Melbourne’s iconic Nicholas Building, is facing program and staff cuts and a threat to its future.
Blindside is appealing to the community to donate between 5 – 18 April 2022. In partnership with the Australian Cultural Fund, all donations over $2 are 100% tax deductible.
In a highly competitive, post-Covid funding environment, Blindside has lost support from Creative Victoria for 2022 government funding.
The $70,000 income loss follows 8 years of consistent support from Creative Victoria. It comes after a period of uncertainty following the Nicholas Building being put up for sale in 2021, casting a further shadow over our future.
In 2019, Blindside achieved its goal to make exhibition space free (no hire fees) and to pay more artists, curators and writers for their work. Blindside recognises that underpayment and non-payment in the arts are hugely detrimental to artists’ incomes, wellbeing and career sustainability.
Since 2014, Blindside’s vision for an expanded program of opportunities for artists, curators and writers has included:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Artist Mentorship, Emerging Curator Mentorship and First Nations Project
SATELLITE - screen-based exhibitions viewed online and at public sites across Australia
REGIONAL RESIDENCY - artist residencies at a National Trust Victoria property
MOBILE - artist/writer commissions for Blindside’s new digital platform
NEW WORKS - curated special projects with partners including Liquid Architecture, Channels Festival and PHOTO 2022
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT - curated public programs to nurture creative practices and networks
Currently impacted 2022 programs and resourcing includes:
– Canceled: Artist Mentorship Initiative
– Canceled: First Nations Project
– Canceled: Blindside Satellite (video works on public screens across Melbourne)
– Cuts to project fees for Emerging Curator Mentorship, Blindside Mobile (online exhibitions) and Screen series
– Cuts to gallery staff hours
– Cuts to technician hours
– Cuts to gallery maintenance
– Fewer artists engaged for Blindside Mobile
– Nofees for PHOTO 2022 curators
– No fee increase to artists
While conversations with funding bodies are ongoing, Blindside needs immediate support to continue its vision and mission. Your small change or generous gift will make all the difference. The arts ecosystem all starts from grassroots organisations like Blindside. All money raised will go directly to programs supporting artists.