Ort Gallery

Ort Gallery is an artist-led exhibition space in Balsall Heath, Birmingham with the social mission to facilitate dialogue in the community.

Through our work we explore what role an international programme of contemporary art can play in community strengthening. We exhibit ambitious and daring new art work in an old factory space and ensure every exhibition has a strong impact on the local area and it’s residents. We work with socially engaged internationally acclaimed artists (previously Ellie Harrison, Leah Gordon, Juneau Projects, Paul O’Kane and Pil and Galia Kollectiv amongst others) in order to ensure that the art-work is not just shown but lived through our audiences. This is done in a variety of ways such as workshops, poetry events, walks, talks and by the audiences becoming part of the projects. We are an approachable venue, inviting new audiences to the space and celebrating the diversity of Balsall Heath and Birmingham.

Ort Gallery’s curatorial programming is concerned with bringing world-class art to an area lacking cultural activity and engaging the audiences in an organic and meaningful way. Balsall Heath is considered a deprived neighbourhood,  and our aim is to raise the profile of the area through cultural events as well as promoting community cohesion and quality of life. Our engagement programme grew organically out of events we hosted for the community.

The artists we work with are dedicated to social change and deal with issues found in Balsall Heath within their practices. We aim for the artists we work with to represent the diversity of people in our immediate area. We believe quality is achieved in many different ways, one of which is to give up and coming artists a platform to exhibit their work and to kick start their career. Ort Gallery pays all the artists we work with a fair wage based on a-n guidelines.