ABOUT
A Collective of Collectives
is a self-organized, non-profit and decentralized initiative between various artist-run communities operating in Athens aimed to strengthen the ties between each community. A Collective of Collectives culminates in a yearly art festival that takes place across multiple artist-run spaces across Athens over the course of 2 weeks. The festival co-ordinates the programming of all participating venues to provide an accessible experience that serves as a snapshot of the current state of the Athenian art scene. A Collective of Collectives operates without a central authority – it is a collective effort that represents the art community of the city in a fair and equal way. Notably, it is largely sustained by women and queer communities, shaping the scene with their perspectives and practices. |
In recent years, Athens has witnessed an explosion in its artistic community. Beyond large, profit-oriented institutions and galleries, much of the production and creation by new and emerging artists and communities takes place in self-managed, independent spaces. These collective-based initiatives have nurtured a thriving ecosystem that the Collective of Collectives Art Festival seeks to bring together, strengthening self-funded or semi-funded artist-run projects that constitute the contemporary incubator of Athens’ underground, experimental cultural scene.
Criticizing centralized models of artistic authority, these spaces challenge conventional structures of curation and meaning-making in favor of personal, collective, and networked approaches. By shifting the focus from external demands to personal narratives, and positioning artists as both subject and creator, they cultivate a non-hierarchical, fluid structure where individual and cultural histories intersect. The emphasis is on co-producing rather than imposing, reinforcing art as an evolving, participatory process rather than a fixed, authoritative statement.
By creating connections between art spaces across Athens, we seek to promote greater accessibility, visibility and collaboration in the local art community. We aim to empower art spaces, artists and curators to reach a wider audience, share resources and collaborate to enhance the city's cultural landscape.
Through comprehensive mapping and outreach, we are building a network of self-managed art spaces, fostering partnerships and joint programming that highlight the diverse artistic voices of Athens. At the same time, by making it easier for people to discover, access, and engage with these spaces, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation of the city’s art scene and provide a platform for creatives to thrive.
This project is more than just a catalogue or an advertising campaign. It's a concentrated effort to strengthen ties within the city.