about works/san josé art and performance center
works/san josé is “the” place for the south bay community to experiment, exhibit, and engage. founded in 1977 by local artists, works “success is in the process” philosophy and unique range of opportunities allow artists, curators, and the community to take creative risks. works is an alternative non-profit art and performance center dedicated to providing a venue for artists, ideas, and images that expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience and challenge the boundaries of contemporary art.
the exhibition programs at works/san josé are unique professional development opportunities in which artists and curators are mentored by works volunteers through the production of their exhibition. the intellectual statement of the exhibition is solely the work of the artist or curator; and in this way, works can present the broadest variety of viewpoints, diverse opinions, and a proliferation of possible creative statements while showcasing emerging, innovative, and experimental visual, performance, new media, installation, and interdisciplinary art.
works thrives on community involvement and enrichment and has an active outreach program that favors exhibitions that cross boundaries and facilitate dialogue that lead to greater understanding between diverse populations. participating artists and curators are required to complete an outreach activity in relation to their exhibition; and works provides professional development educational opportunities for artists at every level of career development, including monthly workshops and lectures, a monthly artist critique group, and free art experiences for young people and their families.
works/san josé has functioned as primarily a volunteer organization for 30 years, a testament to the commitment of its volunteers and membership to maintain works operational and programming capacity, and this has allowed the organization to stay responsive to the needs of its membership and the community. a working board of directors, advisory board, active volunteers, and two staff members operate works.
works/san josé is member supported and is funded in part by the city of san josé, community foundation silicon valley, and arts council silicon valley in partnership with the county of santa clara, the california arts council, and adobe systems, inc.
mission statement: works/san josé believes that thriving communities support artistic experimentation. therefore, we serve as the south bay community’s creative laboratory where people can experiment, exhibit and engage with art and with each other. we achieve our mission by providing an accessible, supportive and welcoming art center.
exhibition
programs:
the exhibition programs at works/san josé are unique professional
development opportunities in which artists/curators are mentored by works
volunteers through the production of their exhibition. community involvement
and enrichment are core beliefs of works, so participating artists and
curators are required to complete an outreach activity in relation to
their exhibition to facilitate dialogue between diverse populations to
lead to greater understanding.
guest curator
(main gallery):
this program is responsible for exhibitions in our main gallery, and allows
works/san josé to present the broadest variety of viewpoints, diverse
options, and a proliferation of possible creative statements. applications
to this program must have a minimum of three (3) exhibiting artists.
paulette
peterson installation space (p2is):
this unique space dedicated to the presentation of installation and site-specific
work in the bay area.
community
sites:
a new/pilot program launching late summer 2007 in collaboration with the
city of san josé’s parks, recreation and neighborhood services,
the gardner community center, and the office of cultural affairs to showcase
the work of professional and avocational artists in san josé.
other
programs:
performance art/music events: since its inception in
1977, works/san josé has been the performance art venue in the
south bay presenting an eclectic array of artists.
artist
in residence:
selected artist has use of a non-living studio space for three months
and receives a modest honorarium. this program serves local emerging and
under-represented artists, who have demonstrated a professional commitment
to their work and are at a critical juncture in their development, which
will be furthered by participating in this program.
community
hall gallery:
this is a new program launching in late summer of 2007. this program showcases
the artwork and expands the public’s awareness of arts education
programs conducted by other organizations and educational institutions
by providing their participants an exhibition opportunity..
artist
development:
works provides professional development educational opportunities for
artists at every level of career development, including monthly workshops
and lectures, a monthly artist critique group.
youth and
family art connection (yfac):
yfac fosters appreciation for and understanding of art by giving local
children (ages 7 to 14) and their families new and different ways to express
themselves through art in a “no-mistakes” environment that
supports the application of creative problem solving and risk taking beyond
the visual arts. free creative opportunities are provided at works on
the second saturday of the month.
student
transition opportunities:
works has a long-standing connection with san josé state university,
and last year provided the venue for both the industrial design and graphic
design department’s final review and exhibition. on a statewide
level, works annually awards a graduate student our new emerging curator
award, the winner then is mentored through the production of the new california
master show, which is a showcase of mfa students statewide.