West Space presents a selective overview of its 10 years of operation through various archived material. The committee has searched through old boxes and filing cabinets to discover a range of curios that symbolize some of the unique thinking by artists involved with the organization over the years. Also included is a sample of the large quantity of published material that has become synonymous with the success of the organisation.

Established in Footscray in 1993, West Space Inc is now celebrating its 10th birthday. West Space has developed a unique identity amongst Australian arts organisations, forged through a sustained belief in the importance of artist-run initiatives to practitioners, audiences and the arts industry. West Space presents 40 exhibitions by more than 90 artists per year, additionally managing publications, performances, international exchanges and forums.

Since opening in a space above a cafe in the Footscray Mall, then moving to an old dispensary building in Albert Street Footscray and now at its current location in town, West Space has worked pro-actively (rather than reactively) to assert the primary importance of artist initiated activity, especially through collective organisation. This sustained belief in the development of new operating conditions and approaches for artists' organisations in the visual arts, represents a challenge to the conventions of the so called ‘arts industry’. It is anticipated that these challenges profererd by West Space through example will enhance opportunities and benefits to Australian artists directly and indirectly. West Space hopes to continue enacting its imagination for change so that the next ten years will be even more productive than the last.

On the occasion of its 10th birthday, West Space sincerely thanks all current and past committee members, exhibiting artists, subscribers, volunteers and audiences for their vital support. Surviving 10 years as an artist-run space is a tribute to dedication,creative thinking and volunteer labour. The current committee of Christian Capurro, Kate Cotching, Natasha Frisch, Michael Graeve, Simon Horsburgh, Brett Jones, Stephen Moskowitz, Dominic Redfern, Elissa Sadgrove, Van Sowerwine, Sarah Stubbs and Rayner Thwaites make the task pleasurable and possible. West Space’s survival and growth is likewise attributable to the ongoing committment and vision of its Founding Director Brett Jones.

The committee would like to acknowledge his tireless contribution to West Space Inc.

West Space would like to thank the City of Melbourne, Arts Victoria and Australia Council for their significant financial investment and confidence in the activities of the gallery.