Void

Void is a contemporary art gallery that commissions and produces a visual arts programme that aims to challenge our audience and promote the arts to new and existing audiences. The programme supports a diverse range of artistic practices of national and international artists.

The programme focuses on the collaborative nature of art and its ability to add to artistic discourse through exhibitions, events, discussions and partnerships. Through their commissions they work with a network of arts organisations both nationally and internationally to create specific projects.

A key element of the gallery is Void Engage, their learning and outreach programme, which places participation and engagement at the heart of Void, making contemporary visual art accessible to visitors of all ages.¹

In January 2003, a group of artists in Derry formed (DADA) Derry’s Artists for Derry’s Art with a vision of creating a contemporary art space with the remit of showing established Irish and international artists. The vision for this space included artists’ studios and an education programme delivering an organisational ideology of ‘supporting artists at every stage of their career.’

The group secured Peace II funding through the Local Strategy Partnership and spent the next two years building the project, formulating an initial exhibition programme and supervising the refurbishment of the basement of the Old City Shirt Factory.

In January 2005, the Void Art Centre (Void) – a non-profit limited company with charitable status opened its doors with its inaugural exhibition Peripheral Vision.

In July 2015, after ten years, the gallery launched its newly refurbished and fully accessible space on the first floor of the Old City Shirt Factory.

Void has established an international reputation for its wide-ranging and challenging exhibition programme. The exhibition programme is curated by the Director and invited curators, whose confluence of ideas generates a unique forward-thinking programme, in partnership with established artists and galleries internationally.