DIY Index

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 Selections

To 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) 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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 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 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 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 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 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