Hallwalls facts for kids
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, often called Hallwalls, is a special non-profit art organization. It is located in Buffalo, New York. Since 1974, Hallwalls has shown the work of many different artists. These artists create films, videos, music, and visual art. Hallwalls was started as a cooperative. It aims to show art that connects to Buffalo's industrial past.
Hallwalls: A Creative History
Hallwalls was started in 1974 by a group of artists. These artists included Charles Clough, Robert Longo, and Cindy Sherman. They set up their first space in an old ice packing warehouse. This warehouse had been turned into art studios.
From the very beginning, Hallwalls wanted to be a place for all kinds of artists. They showed many different art forms. These included film, video, performance art, and painting. The goal was to explore important social topics through art.
In the 1980s, Hallwalls moved to a new spot on Main Street. It became harder to keep their original idea. This idea was to show art that wasn't funded by big companies. Still, they wanted to reach a large audience. More funding meant a bigger gallery space. It also allowed more artists to show their work.
Getting enough money has always been a challenge for Hallwalls. But it has managed to keep going. Even with big budget cuts in the 1990s, Hallwalls stayed strong. It remained an important part of the Western New York community.
In January 2006, Hallwalls found a new home. It moved to 341 Delaware Avenue. It shares this building with Righteous Babe Records. The building used to be the Asbury Methodist Church. Musician Ani DiFranco bought the building.
Some of the films shown at Hallwalls are saved at The Poetry Collection. This collection is at the University at Buffalo. Many famous performers have also been at Hallwalls. These include Kathy Acker, Glenn Branca, and Richard Serra.
Babel: A Festival of Words
Hallwalls helps to put on an annual literary festival called Babel. In 2008, Babel featured a reading by Michael Ondaatje. He won the 1992 Man Booker Prize for his book The English Patient.
Hallwalls also works with other non-profit groups in Western New York. Since 1986, they have had a TV show called Artwaves. This show is on Buffalo's public access cable TV. It gives Hallwalls a chance to share art with the community.
Hallwalls also co-sponsors "Spotlight on Youth." This is an open-mic poetry program. It is for young poets and artists in Buffalo. Hallwalls works with groups like Just Buffalo Literary Center on this program.
Gallery
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Artists and Models fundraiser event in the Buffalo Central Terminal, 2007
