Community Support, Creative Impact

The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art fuels groundbreaking exhibitions, vital artist support, and vibrant community programs.

Join us in cultivating a thriving cultural landscape.

Every Contribution Powers Artistic Vision and Community Connection

At the Alternator, we believe art is essential for a vibrant, empathetic community. Your generosity directly enables us to:

• Empower Artists: Provide crucial professional fees, development opportunities, and exhibition spaces for emerging and established artists. Did you know the median income for artists is significantly lower than other professions? Your support helps build sustainable careers.

• Enrich Our Community: Offer free and low-cost public programming, workshops, and artist talks that bring diverse people together, fostering connection and dialogue. Studies show art participation improves mental well-being!

• Champion Innovation: Serve as a vital platform for artistic experimentation and critical discourse, pushing boundaries and challenging perceptions in contemporary art.

• Cultivate Cultural Vibrancy: Ensure a strong, accessible arts scene in Kelowna that enriches lives and strengthens our collective identity.

Hear From Our Community

“The community that the Alternator has built provides artists with instant connections and community to give attention and feedback on their work.“

- Member & Exhibiting Artist

“I feel it was a turning point in pushing my expectations around making and displaying my art. This experience gave me freedom to explore new avenues for my practice and understand how I can communicate my work in different ways.”

- Member & Exhibiting Artist

“I have always appreciated the Alternator's support of emerging artists and a space that provides opportunities to artists to share their work to our community. The Alternator celebrates artistic diversity and inclusivity through artists' unique perspectives and experimentations which makes viewing contemporary art exciting and thought-provoking for me. I believe this is a way to learn and understand our world in important ways, especially through the connection of others.”

- Volunteer

See Your Impact in Action

Every dollar you give directly fuels our mission. Here’s how your support can make a tangible difference:

• $25: Supports local emerging artists through our Community Exhibitions program and provides early career opportunities to help them gain critical exhibition skills and experience.

• $60: Provides enhanced development opportunities for local artists through our Workshops and Professional Development programs, preparing them for future opportunities in our community and across Canada.

• $125: Contributes to the vital costs of presenting a compelling new exhibition, from materials to technical support.

• $250: Provides artist fees for professional artists, helping them share their stories in our community and develop sustainable careers in the arts.

• $500+: Becomes a Catalyst for Major Programming. Significantly contributes to a new public program series or supports a groundbreaking new exhibition from concept to completion.

New in 2025: The Alternator Vanguard Alliance

Deepen Your Impact: Join Our Inner Circle of Support

For our 2025 Donor Drive, we're thrilled to introduce the Alternator Vanguard Alliance (A.V.A.) – a powerful new opportunity for deepened engagement beyond traditional donations and membership. This program invites you to become part of a dedicated community of monthly donors, creating a truly enduring legacy for the arts in Kelowna.

Your Monthly Contribution: Join the Vanguard Alliance with a commitment of just $10 per month or more through Canada Helps.

Why Become a Vanguard?

The A.V.A. isn't just about financial support; it's about becoming an essential part of the Alternator's future. It's for those passionate about creating a tangible, ongoing impact and fostering a highly involved relationship with our artist-run centre.

As a Vanguard, you'll gain unique opportunities for deeper engagement:

• Direct Involvement: Volunteer opportunities, including hands-on installation support with visiting artists.

• Leadership Insights: Advance notice of openings for our board, committees, and other key leadership positions.

• Early Access: Receive early invitations to upcoming events, where appropriate, giving you a first look.

• An Inner Circle: Beyond financial contributions, the A.V.A. creates a vital inner circle of dedicated supporters who help advance our mission in innovative ways.

Your Impact as a Vanguard: More Than Membership

Being a Vanguard means you're a true ally for the arts. You’re not seeking perks; you're cultivating meaningful participation and directly supporting:

• Empowering Artists: Your ongoing contribution directly supports emerging and established artists through critical exhibition opportunities, honoraria, and workshops. You play a crucial role in enabling artists to realize their visions and share their unique perspectives, directly contributing to their livelihoods.

• Cultivating Community Connection: You help us remain a vital hub where diverse individuals connect, experience art, and build relationships, ensuring accessible and engaging programming that fosters belonging.

• Fostering Artistic Innovation: Your commitment ensures the Alternator remains a dynamic space for risk-taking and the exploration of new artistic forms, pushing boundaries in contemporary art.

• Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability: Your consistent monthly support provides a stable foundation, allowing us to plan for the future and ensure that the transformative power of art remains accessible for generations to come.

The Intrinsic Rewards of Being a Vanguard

The rewards of being part of the Alternator Vanguard Alliance are deeply rooted in the positive impact you make:

• The Satisfaction of Direct Impact: Know that your ongoing contribution is continuously fueling the artistic and cultural vibrancy of your community.

• A Deeper Connection to the Arts: You’ll be more closely connected to the inner workings of an artist-run centre and the artists we support through regular updates and invitations to special, supporter-focused events. Think informal artist talks or behind-the-scenes glimpses, focusing on connection and understanding.

• The Wellbeing of Contribution: Experience the profound intrinsic reward of supporting an organization that enriches lives and strengthens the cultural fabric of Kelowna.

• Acknowledgement of Your Commitment: We will gratefully acknowledge your vital partnership on our website and in our annual reports.

Join the Alternator Vanguard Alliance: Become a vital partner in championing artistic innovation and fostering a thriving cultural landscape in Kelowna. Your true reward lies in the impact we create together.

Become a Vanguard Today! (Button linking directly to the monthly donation option on Canada Helps)