MART
I am co-founder and curator of the Visual Arts Organisation MART – www.martgroup.org
MART is a non-profit Art organisation with bases in Ireland and the UK. MART’s aim is to provide an educational Art resource to the public, making New Media, Installation and Performance accessible, interesting and enjoyable.
The Primary focus for MART is its inclusive ethos which aims to break down boundaries to the Visual Arts through its ability to inspire a curiosity for knowledge. We want to bring contemporary art to the forefront of culture by actively engaging people from all sectors of society in both its viewing and production. To accomplish this MART holds workshops and discussion groups, showcases Artists work online and through exhibitions and events, which encompass: conventional contemporary galleries, temporary spaces within accessible city centre locations and Artist led events.
‘MART’ was set up by Matthew Nevin, Ciara Scanlan and Chloe Freaks in Galway, Ireland 2006. MART is a dynamic artist-led initiative, which provides the UK and Ireland with an innovative, accessible and educational art resource. To accomplish this MART actively encourages public participation through workshops, talks and discussion around exhibitions and artist led events held in both contemporary galleries and temporary spaces within accessible locations.
MART’s operates an online interactive gallery, with informative educational text as a way into or enriching an understanding of experimental and challenging artwork. This growing site showcases over 100 of the finest of emerging, mid-level and established artists, making the heart of the sometimes-insular art scene publicly accessible.
MART also acts as platform and support group for individual artists. Artists can seek advice and assistance on hosting their own exhibition in relation to promotion, location etc. MART also encourages a sense of connection with other artists in the initiative as a support network. We have supported the work of over 300 artists through our previous exhibitions and events.
Through its five year of existence MART has reached an audience of over 20,000 through several exhibitions across Ireland, which includes the prestigious Galway Arts Festival, as well as our curated group shows in Galway, Dublin, UK, Europe and the United States.
In 2010 MART held ‘An Instructional’ a 6 city touring exhibition sponsored by Culture Ireland. The exhibition visited: Norway, UK, Germany, Slovakia, Dublin and ended in November in Jackson, Mississippi. In total the tour reached an audience of over 10,000.
In 2011 MART is producing ‘Invite or Reject’ a 3 phase multi city event to be run as part of Culture Ireland’s Strategic focus on the US – ‘Imagine Ireland’. Ciara Scanlan and Matthew Nevin have curated a contemporary mix of Installation, Video and Performance work. It shall see 13 leading Irish Artists work shown over 3 of the largest cities in the US.
MART is has recently launched MART Productions: which shall produce and promote Artists working in Documentary, Music Video and other main stream Media Formats.
Please visit www.martgroup.org for more information.