Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography is a not-for-profit, artist-run centre committed to the advancement of contemporary photography. Our goal is to contribute to the dialogue on contemporary Canadian photographic art practices and to foster its support, understanding and appreciation.

Full Members must meet all of the following criteria:

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY. Because Gallery 44 does not employ a darkroom technician, we expect that our members using the Gallery 44 Darkrooms are able to function independently in a darkroom at an intermediate to advanced level. Therefore we expect members to have received professional photographic training, beyond the beginner level, either in an educational institution or from a practitioner or teacher recognized within their profession.

Equipment Rental Orientation:

The members need to attend the necessary orientations required to rent all equipment and understand the procedures and responsibilities that are involved with working with said equipment.


ARTISTIC PRODUCTION. In keeping with our mandate, Gallery 44 keeps its production facilities and equipment rental fees affordable to support artists. Our facilities are to be used for artistic projects only. The facilities are not to be used for commercial production. As our mandate is to encourage and support artistic growth, we expect our members to be using Gallery 44’s facilities to advance their artistic development. Although Gallery 44 does not employ aesthetic judgment as part of its review process for membership, we expect that our members are using the facilities to develop one or more of the following artistic goals:

The member intends to present their work to the public by means of exhibitions, publications, or by other means appropriate to his/her work.

The member intends to devote a reasonable proportion of their time as an artist to promoting or marketing their work.

COLLECTIVE SPIRIT. As an artist-run centre and membership-based collective, Gallery 44’s facilities and programs are run on the basis of collective decision making and cooperative behaviour. We expect that members become a part of the Gallery 44 membership with the collective spirit in mind. This means that members support the organization by:

(1) Demonstrating cooperative behaviour with other members while using the production facilities.

(2) Making a volunteer contribution to the Gallery by supporting fundraising activities and by giving volunteer time through committee work or other tasks.

(3) Attending the members’ Annual General Meeting to discuss issues of importance to the Gallery and voting to elect a new Board of Directors.

(4) Attending Gallery 44 Exhibition Openings and other events.


MEMBERSHIP at Gallery 44 offers:

COMMUNITY Gallery 44 is more than just a gallery space, we are a thriving community of photographers and supporters. As an artist-run centre, our activities are driven by the commitment and energy of our members through a Board of Directors and committees. Members play a vital role in developing our education, exhibition, production facilities and publication programs, as well as organizing special events and members' activities. As part of the membership agreement, members are asked to commit 3-5 volunteer hours per month on one or more of Gallery 44's committees, assisting in special events or other Gallery activities.

Link to Gallery History


HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER:

1. Download our application form, fill it out and then return it to us via email, fax or snail mail. We will contact you as soon as we can with the date of our next new members orientation. (these usually happen every 4 - 6 weeks).

2. Introductory Meeting. Facilitated by several members of Gallery 44, this is a meeting to introduce you to Gallery 44’s facilities and operations. Potential members are asked to bring a small portfolio of prints of their most recent work. Your work is not being judged for its artistic merit, however your intent for becoming a member must be to pursue artistic production (we do not support commercial production) and the work you present should reflect this. If you wish to use the black and white darkroom, please bring in gelatin silver prints that demonstrate that you are confident operating independently in a black and white wet darkroom.

3. After the introductory meeting if all criteria is met, a staff member will set up a time for you to sign a membership agreement, pay fees, recieve keys, and you will then have access to orientations on the use of the facilities and equipment.

Membership Options

FULL Membership ($150) per year (plus building access card deposits): This membership provides 24-hour access, seven days a week, to Gallery 44’s production facilities and overnight rentals of equipment. FULL members receive all community privileges*.

DAY Membership ($75) per year: This membership provides access to Gallery 44’s production facilities and equipment rentals during Gallery 44’s office hours only, Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 am to 5 pm. DAY members receive all community privileges*.

STUDENT/SENIOR (65+) Discounts: $100 for FULL membership or $50 for DAY membership.

ASSOCIATE Member ($25 or more): This membership provides mailings of material about Gallery 44’s exhibitions and other activities and access to the e-newsletter. This membership does not include voting privileges or access to Gallery 44’s production facilities or equipment.

* Community Privileges:  Being a Full or Day Member of Gallery 44 gives you the following privileges:

- exhibition opportunities in the Members’ Gallery
- voting privileges
- committee participation
- eligibility to run for a position on the Board of Directors
- a link from G44 website
- e-newsletter (including calls for submission, job postings, workshops, and more)
- discounts on G44 workshops, and photo-related discounts at various retail outlets