Mission Statement

**Ort Gallery | Bridging gaps with Art and Warmth**
Ort Gallery is an artist-led exhibition space in Balsall Heath, Birmingham. We are on a social mission to challenge the traditional role of visual art spaces in Birmingham.

We believe everyone should have access to high quality art experiences and aim to provide that standard. We contribute to making Birmingham more inclusive by actively rejecting the exclusivity often found in the visual arts sector.

We celebrate the differences of all of our visitors, artists and staff for they are a part of our Ort community and inform our work.

We are focused on investing in and engaging with community members of the Balsall Heath area that are often overlooked. We use our space to provide our community with art focused events, activities and volunteering opportunities. We believe that art holds transformative power for mental wellbeing, bridging community gaps and increasing employability. We believe that you are never too young, too old or too different to learn a new skill or engage with art.

We are proud to provide exhibition opportunities to Black and Brown artists, those from working class backgrounds, the LGBTQ+ community and artists with disabilities.

We always compensate artists and staff for their work and contribution to our space – no matter the stage of their careers and aim to provide paid opportunities from entry level positions to governing roles. We strive to provide further earning opportunities through extending artists networks and offering opportunities for them to sell their work.

We want our staff to reflect the diversity of our audiences and exhibitors. By holding training opportunities as well as open and compassionate conversations, we aim to remove any barriers that restrict marginalised persons from applying for and carrying out job roles.

We place warmth at the heart of all our work. We celebrate differences and strive to find commonality between our diverse audiences, in hopes of transforming our city and industry.

This is a space where everyone is welcomed and showcased. Difference is a starting point to create something special.