Catalyst Arts

Catalyst Arts was formed in 1993 in response to what was seen as a cultural vacuum.{{cite web|last=McCann|first=Nuala|date=16 October 2006|title=Art brings bingo to the toilet|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6054404.stm|accessdate=25 January 2012|publisher=BBC News}} In accordance with its constitution it is run by unpaid volunteers, and seeks to adopt a poly-vocal strategy towards the promotion of contemporary art practices by large selection of artists and projects from the widest possible range of disciplines.{{cite web|url=http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/Venue.aspx?venue_id=3062|title=Culture Northern Ireland|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716032002/http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/venue.aspx?venue_id=3062|archive-date=2012-07-16}} It is modeled after Transmission Gallery, and spawned 126 Artist-run Gallery.{{Cite web|date=2013-04-06|title=Circa Art Magazine - Rayne Booth's blog - The year of the exchange (Friday 1 May 2009)|url=http://www.recirca.com/cgi-bin/mysql/show_item.cgi?post_id=4832&type=rbblog&ps=publish|access-date=2020-11-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406193044/http://www.recirca.com/cgi-bin/mysql/show_item.cgi?post_id=4832&type=rbblog&ps=publish|archive-date=2013-04-06}} Catalyst Arts was envisioned as an agency that would act as a 'catalyst' cajoling, supporting and promoting culturally engaged artistic endeavours on a local, national and international basis{{cite web|title=What to see in Belfast|url=http://www.inyourpocket.com/northern-ireland/belfast/What-to-see/museumsandgalleries/Catalyst-Arts-Gallery_28242v}} Academic and critic, Declan Long describes Catalyst as a "locally influential... collective."{{Cite web|title=Declan Long on Phil Collins|url=https://www.artforum.com/print/reviews/201810/phil-collins-77831|access-date=2021-12-20|website=www.artforum.com|language=en-US}}

Catalyst Arts was founded on a constitution that provides a structure in which power flows from the roots of its membership to the committee of directors. Catalyst Arts boasts an archive of over 2000 unique documents of Northern Irish art history, which it is currently preparing to make publicly accessible. Catalyst Arts has also organised projects internationally.{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Roberta|date=30 May 1997|title=Art in Review|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/30/arts/art-in-review-366846.html|accessdate=25 January 2012|work=New York Times}} Catalyst has strong links with the University of Ulster. Catalyst Arts has shown works of David Shrigley, Ross Sinclair, Susan Phillipz, Phil Collins, Michelle D Hannah, Roddy Buchanan, Simon Starling, Bill Drummond to name a few, and has turned the gallery into a sauna with Joanna Karolini. They have also worked on exchanges with 126 in Galway.

Edinburgh's ‘New 57’ Gallery's (1957 – 84)

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• [http://www.catalystarts.org.uk Catalyst Arts Official Website]

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Category:British artist groups and collectives

Category:Art in Northern Ireland

Category:Organisations based in Belfast

Category:Arts organizations established in 1993

Category:1993 establishments in Northern Ireland

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