Independent spaces are often on the cutting edge of emerging art communities. As in major art centers such as New York and Los Angeles, the South also hosts a number of alternative spaces for showing and creating artwork. Often artist-run and ephemeral, these spaces provide an essential site for experimentation in their communities.
Print SelectionsTo have your space considered for this Art Guide, please email [email protected].
Bad Water
BAD WATER is an artist-run space opened in 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Website Address 320 E. Churchwell Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917 (by appointment only) -83.9324636269651,35.9894798713113
FEATURED IN
BAD WATER in Knoxville, TN
Lump
Founded in 1996, Lump is a longstanding artist-run space located in Raleigh, NC. Website Address 505 S. Blount Street Raleigh, NC 27601 -78.63650581349555,35.77380211392621
FEATURED IN
Lump in Raleigh, NC
School of the Alternative
School of the Alternative is an experiment in education and community that holds sessions at Black Mountain College. Website Address P.O. Box 421 Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711 -82.32041718414399,35.61356282219475
FEATURED IN
School of the Alternative in Black Mountain, North Carolina
Good Enough
Good Enough is an artist-run space run out of a basement in Atlanta, GA. They are currently on hiatus. Website Address 3517 Spring Cir, Decatur, GA 30032 -84.24583416930614,33.724285459766776
FEATURED IN
As Far As We Can Go, Happiness Is Always Just Over That Horizon
Good Enough in Atlanta, GA
Hi-Lo Press
Print studio providing design services, plus an exhibition space for emerging and established artists. Website Address 551 McWilliams Road, Atlanta GA 33.6887393415651, -84.37114312209081
FEATURED IN
Hi-Lo Press in Atlanta, Georgia
The Front
Fostering the work of emerging contemporary artists through innovative exhibitions, lectures, screenings, performances, arts programming and career building programs which are free and open to the public. Website Address 4100 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 -90.03439536441886,29.965088057932064
FEATURED IN
The Front in New Orleans, LA
Good Weather
Good Weather has transformed a single-car garage into a participant-guided gallery in Little Rock, AR. They currently have 3 locations – North Little Rock (address listed here), Little Rock, and Chicago, IL. Website Address 4400 Edgemere North Little Rock, Arkansas 72116 -92.2496323644084,34.79452859473189
FEATURED IN
Good Weather in North Little Rock, Arkansas
Falling into the Abyss: Azikiwe Mohammed and Inga Danysz at Good Weather
Coco Hunday
Coco Hunday is an artist-run gallery whose programming is anchored by solo presentations of emerging and mid-career artists. Website Address 304 W Crest Avenue Tampa, Florida 33603 27.993718676937384,-82.46237633558182
FEATURED IN
Coco Hunday in Tampa, Florida
Bas Fisher Invitational
BFI creates a bridge between Miami and the international art world by curating programs featuring both local and global artists at sites throughout Miami-Dade County, and in collaboration with national and international partnering organizations. Website Address Miami, FL -80.19439113828105,25.772820328357668
FEATURED IN
Bas Fisher Invitational in Miami
Wavelength Space
Wavelength Space is an artist-run gallery with a focus on the organization of conceptually themed, group exhibitions in which local and regional artists can show in communication with artists from around the country. Website Address 854 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga -85.29400427115058,35.04283199999243
FEATURED IN
Wavelength Space in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Residual Dwelling at Wavelength Space, Chattanooga
THE END Project Space
THE END Project Space is a non-profit exhibition space committed to the presentation of new artwork by Atlanta artists, or artists with significant connection to Atlanta. Website Address 1870 Murphy Avenue SW Atlanta GA -84.42689227116279,33.70358646277029
FEATURED IN
Antiphase at THE END Project Space, Atlanta
Avantika Bawa at THE END, Atlanta
THE END Project Space in Atlanta
Gradient Projects
Gradient Projects is a contemporary art initiative based in Thomas, West Virginia since 2018. We operate a project and event space that hosts exhibitions, artists-in-residence, performances, concerts, films and other art-based experimentation. Website Address 218 East Avenue, Thomas, West Virginia -79.49827600000492,39.149921199558634
FEATURED IN
Gradient Project Space in Thomas, WV
Attic 506
Attic 506 is an art space that houses a coalition of artist-run initiatives in Chapel Hill, NC. Through collective effort, the gallery provides much needed exhibition venues, art studios and the regions first art book store. Website Address 506 W. Franklin St, 2nd Floor, Chapel Hill, North Carolina -79.06384399999887, 35.910295059371364
My Friend Sparksburg
My Friend Sparksburg is a contemporary art space currently existing on the flagpole holder of a modest suburban ranch home in Columbia, South Carolina. Website Address -81.02275745392834, 34.014225234212034
FEATURED IN
My Friend Sparksburg in Columbia, SC
Dimensions Variable
Dimensions Variable (DV) is an artist-run space, committed to the education, presentation, and support of contemporary art in Miami. Through a supportive community, DV provides studios, curates exhibitions, produces external projects, manages art acquisitions, publishes content, hosts discussions, develops education, organizes events that engage the community, and supports challenging and experimental art practices. Website Address 101 NW 79th Street, Miami -80.19906707739776,25.84768336052673
FEATURED IN
Get Well Soon at Dimensions Variable, Miami
BASEMENT
Founded in 2019, BASEMENT is a provisional artist-run project space located in Chapel Hill, NC that supports experimental and critical art practices. We choose to strengthen and build connections between artists and communities specifically in the regional southeast. Website Address Chapel Hill, NC -79.05545424953785,35.915458751862346
FEATURED IN
BASEMENT in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Random Sample
Random Sample highlights local emerging artists looking for an approachable space to exhibit their work. RS also hosts small concerts, book clubs, and is home to a small gift shop that showcases artisanal goods from multiple local artists. Website Address 407 48th Ave N, Nashville, TN -86.84485738147639,36.15234622011032
FEATURED IN
Random Sample in Nashville, TN
Institute 193
Institute 193 collaborates with artists, musicians, and writers to document the cultural landscape of the modern South by providing artists from Kentucky and the Southeastern United States with exhibition and publication opportunities.. Website Address 215 N. Limestone Lexington, KY 38.04940248816311, -84.49415578836437
FEATURED IN
Almost Heaven :^) at Institute 193
Eric Rhein at Institute 193 in Lexington
Melissa Watt at Institute 193, Lexington
Melissa Carter at Institute 193 in Lexington
Blue Boy
Blue Boy is a contemporary art space in Savannah, GA committed to the exhibition of evolving art practices in the Southeast and beyond. Alongside regular exhibitions, Blue Boy screens movies, hosts lectures, and holds other community-driven events in our backyard space in Savannah's midtown neighborhood. Website Address 406 E 65th Street -81.09941814232836,32.032035994174144