The Current Gallery and Art Center
The Current Gallery and Art Center is a contemporary art gallery located in Nassau, The Bahamas. The gallery is situated in a historic building in the heart of downtown Nassau and is one of the premier contemporary art spaces in the region. The Current Gallery and Art Center features exhibitions, performances, and educational programming that engage with the social and cultural issues of the Caribbean and its diaspora. The gallery also hosts a residency program that supports emerging and established artists from the Caribbean and beyond.
The Current Gallery and Art Center was founded in 2017 by the art collector and philanthropist, Baha Mar. The gallery is part of the Baha Mar Resort, a luxury destination that includes three hotels, a casino, and a range of dining and entertainment options. The Baha Mar Resort is located on Cable Beach, a stunning stretch of white sand beach on the north coast of New Providence Island.
The Current Gallery and Art Center is housed in a restored colonial-era building that was once a storage facility for the British military. The building was restored by the architectural firm, OBMI, and now features state-of-the-art exhibition spaces, a performance venue, a lecture hall, and a studio space for artists-in-residence. The building also includes a café and a gift shop that sells artwork and artisanal products made by local and regional artists.
The gallery’s mission is to promote the contemporary art and culture of the Caribbean and its diaspora. The gallery’s exhibitions and programs are curated by a team of experienced curators and arts professionals who have a deep understanding of the cultural and historical context of the region. The gallery’s exhibitions and programs are diverse and inclusive, and are designed to engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
One of the most significant aspects of The Current Gallery and Art Center is its residency program. The program provides artists with the opportunity to live and work in Nassau for a period of two to three months. The program is open to artists from the Caribbean and beyond, and provides artists with a stipend, housing, and studio space. The program also includes opportunities for artists to exhibit their work in the gallery and to engage with local communities through workshops, lectures, and other public events.
The residency program at The Current Gallery and Art Center has been instrumental in supporting the careers of emerging and established artists from the Caribbean and beyond. The program has provided artists with the time and space to develop new work, to explore new ideas, and to engage with new audiences. The program has also helped to foster a vibrant and supportive community of artists and arts professionals in Nassau and the wider Caribbean region.
The gallery’s exhibitions and programs have been widely praised for their diversity, inclusivity, and engagement with contemporary social and cultural issues. The gallery’s exhibitions have featured the work of established and emerging artists from the Caribbean and beyond, including artists such as Tavares Strachan, John Cox, and Lavar Munroe. The gallery’s programs have also included performances, film screenings, and workshops that engage with a range of cultural and social issues, such as race, gender, identity, and environmentalism.
The Current Gallery and Art Center has also been instrumental in promoting the cultural and economic development of the Caribbean region. The gallery’s exhibitions and programs have helped to raise the profile of Caribbean artists and arts organizations, and have helped to attract tourists and art collectors to the region. The gallery’s residency program has also provided a platform for artists to engage with local communities and to contribute to the social and economic development of the region.
The Current Gallery and Art Center has also been a leader in promoting sustainable and environmentally conscious practices in the arts. The gallery has implemented a range of green initiatives, such as using energy-efficient lighting, reducing waste, and promoting the use of sustainable materials in artwork. The gallery’s commitment to sustainability has been recognized by the arts community and has set an example for other arts organizations in the region and beyond.
In addition to its exhibitions and residency program, The Current Gallery and Art Center offers a range of educational programs for visitors of all ages. The gallery offers guided tours of its exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and other public programs that engage with the social and cultural issues of the Caribbean and its diaspora. The gallery’s education programs are designed to promote critical thinking, creativity, and cultural awareness, and to inspire visitors to engage with the arts and the world around them.
The gallery has also been involved in a number of collaborative projects with other arts organizations in the region and beyond. The gallery has partnered with museums, galleries, and cultural institutions in the Caribbean, North America, and Europe to produce exhibitions, residencies, and other programs that promote the contemporary art and culture of the region. These collaborations have helped to build bridges between different cultures and communities and to promote a greater understanding of the diversity and richness of the Caribbean and its diaspora.
The Current Gallery and Art Center has become an important cultural institution in the Caribbean and a model for other arts organizations in the region and beyond. The gallery’s commitment to promoting the contemporary art and culture of the Caribbean and its diaspora, its support for emerging and established artists, and its engagement with social and cultural issues have helped to create a vibrant and dynamic arts scene in Nassau and the wider Caribbean region. The gallery’s programs and initiatives have also helped to promote the social and economic development of the region and to build bridges between different cultures and communities.
In conclusion, The Current Gallery and Art Center is a vital cultural institution that has made a significant contribution to the contemporary art and culture of the Caribbean and its diaspora. The gallery’s exhibitions, residency program, education programs, and collaborations with other arts organizations have helped to promote the diversity and richness of the Caribbean and to build bridges between different cultures and communities. The gallery’s commitment to sustainability and to promoting social and cultural issues through the arts has set an example for other arts organizations in the region and beyond. The Current Gallery and Art Center is a beacon of creativity, diversity, and inclusivity in the Caribbean and a model for the future of contemporary art and culture in the region.
