Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1979-1995 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
0.84 m of textual records.
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Mercer Union was created by former members of A.C.T. in 1979 to operate as an artist-run, non-profit cooperative gallery. Twelve founders contributed financially to the rental of a ground floor space at 29 Mercer Street and planned to mix local, regional, national and international exhibits, collaborating with other artist-run programs. Its mandate was to exhibit new work in the most advanced forms of painting and sculpture that was not receiving exposure in the commercial and public galleries. Performance art, installations and music were incorporated into the programming, which has continued to represent innovative and sometimes controversial material. Twelve board members are elected by dues-paying members and serve on the various committees (programming, curatorial, etc), with the help of a small paid staff. The gallery moved to 333 Adelaide Street West, 5th floor in 1981 and 439 King Street West in 1994. Their present location is 37 Lisgar Street; current information about the gallery can be obtained at www.mercerunion.org.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Series consists of the documentation created for curatorial meetings. Files typically contain a list of submissions, the letters and proposals from artists that form the background to these lists, and standard rejection letters grouped by type. The submissions in these files are all unsuccessful applications; the submissions of successful artists were transferred to the artist files (Series 1). The slides that would have accompanied these proposals were returned. Arrangement follows the original order.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English