Works/San José

Works/San José is the South Bay’s community art and performance center. Founded in 1977 by local artists, Works is an all-volunteer, non-profit, alternative art and performance center dedicated to providing a venue for artists, ideas, and images that expand the scope of cultural and artistic experience and challenge the boundaries of contemporary art. Works/San José is supported by individual members and donors.

The exhibition programs at Works/San José are unique professional development opportunities in which artists and curators are mentored by works volunteers through the production of their exhibition. The intellectual statement of the exhibition is solely the work of the artist or curator; and in this way, works can present the broadest variety of viewpoints, diverse opinions, and a proliferation of possible creative statements while showcasing emerging, innovative, and experimental visual, performance, new media, installation, and interdisciplinary art.

Works thrives on community involvement and enrichment and has an active outreach program that favors exhibitions that cross boundaries and facilitate dialogue that lead to greater understanding between diverse populations. Participating artists and curators are required to complete an outreach activity in relation to their exhibition; and Works provides professional development educational opportunities for artists at every level of career development, including monthly workshops and lectures, a monthly artist critique group, and free art experiences for young people and their families.