Project Description

What happens when you put an art gallery in a high school? Without your help, we'll never find out. This project can't happen unless our goal is met. We want to create a model. A model that can be implemented Nationally. We want to see art galleries become the norm next to libraries, gyms and assembly halls in high schools all over Australia. The result; a whole generation with an unprecedented palette and appreciation for art, that's our potential future.  

The Gallery 2166 team have been given an old Design & Technology building by Cabramatta High School to transform into a free admission cultural hub. In the spirit of independence, we initiated our own talks with the school and are proceeding unpaid to ensure every cent raised renovates, refurbishes and resources the space to the fullest for the students and Cabramatta community.

We want to connect different areas of Sydney and it's people through art, people that would otherwise have little contact. It's a move to challenge ourselves and explore life and art outside of our safe "inner city bubble". These discoveries in a new community, along with relationships that form and flourish will be just as insightful and rewarding for us as the Cabramatta residents.

Gallery 2166 will get students comfortable around art, let them know it's OK to touch, look and interact with work, that they're entitled and welcome to be in this setting, a setting that can be intimidating for the uninitiated. In turn, this familiarity will empower and inspire them to tell their own rich stories; be they refugee, immigrant or something much more unexpected. We want to validate these stories as important and worthy of attention, first as a collective than a Nation.

*NOTE* : pledges don’t transact unless we reach our full target by the deadline.

Pledges will go towards:

• Refurbishment of an old Design and Technology building; hanging walls, lighting, fixtures and material for the gallery fit out.

• Running costs; public liability insurance, insurance for works on loan, securing gallery space, install of works, utilities, openings, catalogs and promotional material.
• Materials for workshops, programs and exhibitions; projectors, monitors, art workshop supplies and guest artists.

• Two new exhibitions each school term.
• Possibility for installation concepts in the vacant shipping container connected to the gallery; interactive 3D video works, sensory worlds, games, green screen photo booth, new media activities.
• Resource library; books, video and film, magazines and audio library.
• A program of workshops/performances run by guest artists and resident directors.
• The space will be open weekdays for students and free after school hours for the general public.

The Gallery 2166 team consists of; 

Saha Jones - artist/curator

Andrew Morgan - filmmaker/founder of RepoSocial

Jola Jones - teacher

Nicole Dennis - placemaker/Creative Sydney panelist

Trevor Parkee - youth worker

Watch our video, follow the adventure on Facebook and Twitter, check out our reward options and pledge to a project that can break real change. We do understand some people simply can’t give, so sharing the page is a rather nice thing to do. Thanks for your support! Once you pledge, announce it proudly on Facebook & Twitter. It inspires friends to get involved. Plus, people get to know you're amazing.

If you want to discuss in-kind donation options or any alternative philanthropic support, please contact us at  gallery2166@gmail.com



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