Generator Projects is a dynamic, vibrant exhibition and events space in the heart of Dundee. Founded in 1996, more than 25 years later Generator still operates in the tradition of ARIs (Artist Run Initiatives): non-profit, collaborative, grassroots, membership-based spaces that exist to foster and sustain creativity and participation in the arts. These peer-led spaces play a pivotal role in the arts ecosystem, and in engaging local communities. Generator is the second-oldest artist-run space in Scotland, and the oldest in Dundee.
With an emphasis on contemporary art, Generator provides a crucial platform for early- to mid-career arts practitioners, particularly those living in the Dundee area and outwith the central belt. By offering paid opportunities to these emerging practitioners, we provide a vital stepping stone, enabling them to develop their practice and gain critical hands-on experience of exhibition-making, networking and engagement with audiences. By the same token, we provide local communities the opportunity to engage with the arts via exhibitions, workshops and events. All of our exhibitions and events are free to attend. Generator operates primarily on the belief that access to the arts is a right, and we work hard to facilitate this access by providing a welcoming, vibrant, caring and critically-engaged environment in which artists and audiences feel supported.
Generator committee members are responsible for all day-to-day running of the exhibition space and events programme. Committee members serve in a voluntary capacity for a maximum of two years, ensuring a fresh and dynamic approach. We run in a non-hierarchical manner, with a firm commitment to practices of openness, democracy, care and mutual support both among ourselves as a committee and with our artists and audiences.
We run a diverse funded programme of around 6 exhibitions annually, with artists invited by the committee to develop new work across artistic disciplines without boundaries. In addition to the funded programme, we open the space up for Takeovers, where any member of Generator can apply to use the space for their own exhibitions or projects. This radically democratic approach is key to the way we operate.
In addition to two galleries, Generator also has a smaller community space that can be used for more intimate events that can happen while exhibitions are running. We are currently developing this space to make it more inviting and functional - keep an eye on our social media for updates!
Artists Generator have worked with have gone on to do many exciting things, such as: exhibiting at the Venice Biennale, founding the Common Guild, winning the Glasgow Film Festival Margaret Tait Award, co-founding Project Space (Leeds), co-founding the Tetley (Leeds), winning the Venice Silver Lion Award, winning the Creative Scotland New Media Award and progressing to sit on the council of the Royal Scottish Academy.
Generator Projects is proud to support the artistic community of our city thanks to the backing of Creative Scotland and Leisure and Culture Dundee.
Our Policies
We are continuously updating and reviewing our policies to ensure that Generator is an environment that is fair, radical, informed and constantly pushing the boundaries of what it means to run an artist run space in Scotland. We are open to discussing any policy below, so if you wish to pass on feedback, hold us accountable or suggest improvements, please get in touch with us at mail@generatorprojects.co.uk