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]

Mild Climate
mild climate is an artist-run space and curatorial collective with an interest in alternative programming as well as traditional gallery exhibitions. Website Address 507C Hagan St, Nashville, TN 37203 First floor, The Packing Plant Arts Building -86.77135100000424,36.14137001098604
FEATURED IN
Mild Climate in Nashville, TN

C for Courtside
Run by a collective of five artists, C for Courtside is based in Knoxville, TN Website Address 513 Cooper St, Knoxville, TN 37917 -83.92646662698553,35.97157585358332
FEATURED IN
C for Courtside in Knoxville, TN

Versa Gallery
VERSA is an artist-run space located at Chattanooga’s Mercy Junction Justice and Peace Center. Website Address 1918 Union Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37404 -85.27542754232468,35.031939289309065
FEATURED IN
VERSA in Chattanooga, TN

Bad Water
BAD WATER is an artist-run space opened in 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Website Address 320 E. Churchwell Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917 -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 711 Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711 -82.32041718414399,35.61356282219475
FEATURED IN
School of the Alternative in Black Mountain, North Carolina

The Sunroom
Founded by recent graduates of the VCU Masters of Fine Arts Program, The Sunroom exhibits artists from throughout the US. Website Address 2801 E Marshall St Richmond, VA 23223 -77.41521008465168,37.53063247520636
FEATURED IN
The Sunroom in Richmond, VA

Good Enough
Good Enough is an artist-run space run out of a basement in Atlanta, GA. 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 696 Charles Allen Dr NE Atlanta, GA 30308 -84.37303572882502,33.7734894591257
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

Vinegar Projects
Vinegar Projects is an artist-run non-profit space that focuses on emerging and experimental art forms, and art that pushes the boundaries of its medium Website Address 701 37th St S #12 Birmingham, AL 35222 -86.7758609999969,33.51751083445906
FEATURED IN
VINEGAR in Birmingham, Alabama

Good Weather
Good Weather has transformed a single-car garage into a participant-guided gallery in Little Rock, AR. 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 Hundray is an artist- run gallery whose programming is anchored by solo presentations of emerging and mid-career artists. Website Address 212 W. Thomas St. Tampa, Florida 33604 -82.46271917791069,28.007140012503086
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