AKA artist-run centre

AKA is an artist-run gallery that opened its doors at its current street-level location in the historic Riversdale district, dubbed part of the “cultural corridor” of Saskatoon, in 2008. AKA’s venues include its street-level gallery space and a second-storey billboard space, as well as ad hoc off-site venues sourced for specific projects. We are committed to exploring emerging practices that speak to, reflect and encourage dialogue in our culturally diverse community. This includes work in all media by local, national and international artists, Indigenous artists, and queer, emerging and established artists.

AKA evolved from the Shoestring Gallery, initiated in 1971. In 1982, the transition from a member-based visual arts and crafts co-operative to a non-profit artist-run centre yielded AKA Gallery. In 1985, AKA moved to the Saskatoon Warehouse Artspace (SWA), where it resided for twenty years, together with The Photographer’s Gallery and Video Vérité (later to become PAVED Arts), Tribe and Blackflash magazine. AKA emphasizes Aboriginal involvement in programming and organizational activities.