galerie januar - Verein zur Förderung junger Kunst e.V.

In the location's words:

galerie januar was founded in 1980 as a student initiative in the vicinity of the Institute of Art History at the Ruhr University Bochum with the aim of examining the theory learned in relation to current art practice and passing it on. With the knowledge of the history of art, the view is directed - Janus-faced - backwards and forwards. In five to six solo exhibitions per year, the public was kept up to date with the diverse forms of contemporary art and attempts were made to arouse interest in positions that were still largely unsecured.

What began as a non-profit organization and still thrives on the voluntary commitment of its members today has consequently existed as a registered, non-profit "galerie januar - Verein zur Förderung junger Kunst e.V." since 1991, making it one of three art associations in the city. Even more so than the older Kunstverein Bochum, which has a larger membership, the association sees itself as an experimental exhibition platform for new trends and focuses its attention programmatically on the youngest artists, whose work is already unmistakable and of a recognizably individual character, either during their academy studies or shortly after graduation.

Since the most recent art in particular is always different from our preconceived notions of it, the exhibition activities are not so much based on preconceived notions of art. Rather, it is open and flexible, not arbitrary and includes highly diverse forms of expression. This results in a varied exhibition program each year, which includes not only painting and sculpture but also photography, video, site-specific installations and projects in public space. The selection is based on quality criteria and has no local or regional restrictions.

The galerie januar - Verein zur Förderung junger Kunst e.V. is supported by the City of Bochum and the GWK - Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Westfälischen Kulturarbeit e.V..