Metchosin ArtPod
Metchosin ArtPod is an artist-run collective and gallery located in the rural village of Metchosin on Greater Victoria’s West Shore. The collective supports local visual artists by offering opportunities to learn, create, exhibit, and sell original work. It also promotes community wellbeing by providing a welcoming venue for the public to engage with the arts.
To meet its mandate, Metchosin ArtPod offers:
• open calls for art submissions
• externally juried art shows and sales in a gallery setting
• exhibition opening events, featured artist talks, and discussion forums
• weekly drop-in art sessions
• art workshops, resource networks, and learning opportunities
Website: metchosinartpod.ca
Organisation Details
Installation setup available
• movable wall space
• plinths
• lighting
• ramp and level entry
• off-road parking
• some storage
Artists of interest
• local artists
• regional artists
• national artists
• international artists
Primary mediums and genres
• ceramics
• contemporary art
• crafts
• folk art
• Indigenous art
• sculpture
• textiles
CARFAC membership
No
Does your organisation offer memberships?
Yes.
Membership is available through an informal process, personal contact, and an application reviewed by the Membership Committee.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Relationship with local First Nations and Indigenous communities
Metchosin ArtPod:
• includes an Indigenous member in the collective (1 of 14 artists)
• has representation on a community working group on decolonisation understanding and practices
• has formed an Indigenous Engagement Committee to make the gallery and practices safer and more inviting for Indigenous artists and community members
• is working toward shared art and cultural experiences with the local Indigenous community through future grant proposals
• has downloaded and uses CARFAC’s Indigenous Protocols document
Diversity and anti-racism statements
An anti-discrimination policy is in place as a requirement for membership.
Available on the Metchosin ArtPod Society information page:
metchosinartpod.ca/metchosin-artpod/
Current and future commitments
The Indigenous Engagement Committee continues to develop goals for relationship-building and community-led programming, with grant applications planned to support this work.
Awareness of Indigenous Protocols
• the Indigenous member of the collective has extensive experience with local protocols
• other members are developing their understanding and intention to follow protocols where appropriate
• territorial acknowledgements open all events
Land acknowledgements
• yes, during events and programs
• yes, on the website
Identified power dynamics and actions
Metchosin ArtPod:
• keeps fees low and addresses financial barriers individually
• acts as a venue where many emerging artists present their first work in open calls or juried shows
• adopts CARFAC’s recommended pay for guest jurors, instructors, and presenters
• maintains physically accessible facilities and inclusive programming
• provides the following accessibility statement (revised for clarity):
Accessibility Statement:
Metchosin ArtPod is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit society that functions on a very slim budget in order to make visual arts opportunities as accessible as possible. The collective provides low-cost drop-in sessions, workshops, and art events and encourages artists to submit work for juried shows by keeping fees reasonable. The gallery is open to the public three days a week with no entry fee. The collective includes male, female, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ members, as well as members with expertise in inclusive practices for people with diverse needs. The gallery has off-road parking, a level entrance, a wheelchair ramp, and wheelchair-accessible washrooms.
Accessibility
• website compatible with assistive technology
• wheelchair accessibility
Opportunities for emerging artists
• exhibitions
• workshops
Submission Process
Exhibition selection
• submissions to a Programming Committee or jury
• requests for proposals
• calls for submissions
• expressions of interest
Other opportunities for showcasing work
• artist talks
• art markets and fairs
• member shows
• fundraisers
• open studios
• workshops
Supports provided for exhibiting artists
• advertising for shows
• distribution of promotional cards and material
• social media promotion and tagging
CARFAC Fees
Exhibitions
The organisation does not generally pay exhibition fees due to budget limitations; however, it uses CARFAC recommendations for:
• juror fees
• honouraria
• workshop facilitation
• artist presentations
Digital programming
N/A
Non-commercial reproductions
N/A
Commercial reproductions
N/A
Artist professional services
• presentation fees
• consultation fees
• jury fees
Other Support for Artists
Accessibility supports
• ramps
• hanging height adjustments
• alternative submission methods (such as video submissions)
Compensation
• artwork sales and commissions
• CARFAC-recommended fees
• fundraisers
• gallery shop sales
• honouraria
