The basis of unity

First, La Centrale recognizes that it is located and operates in Tiohtià:ke/ Montreal, the unceded Indigenous territory of the Kanien'kehá: ka (Mohawk) nation.

La Centrale also recognizes the numerous oppressions existing in artistic communities which lead to unequal access to opportunities, cultural insensitivity, cultural appropriation, micro-aggressions, psychological, physical, or sexual harassment, weightism, sexism, racism, xenophobia, psychophobia, homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny, capacitism, classicism, and derogatory language.

The Basis of Unity was created to support the mandate and mission of La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse: to create an inclusive space for the dissemination of multidisciplinary artistic practices while acting in dialogue with feminisms and supporting intersectionality and social justice. The Basis of Unity is an adaptable tool and resource. It is constantly evolving, just like La Centrale.

The Basis of Unity outlines La Centrale’s founding principles and is developed in collaboration with the gallery’s members, employees, and Board of Directors. This document applies to everyone involved in the organization (included but not limited to: artists, tenants, partners, participants in special projects, and contractual collaborators). In the collaborative spirit, continued criticism and feedback from members and employees is essential for the continued development and improvement of the preventative approaches and values of La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse.

• La Centrale fights against sexism, misogyny, power structures, and patriarchal privileges;
• La Centrale does not tolerate any discrimination based on race, nationality, ethnic origin, citizenship, language, age, religion, political beliefs, judicial history, situations of physical and mental handicap, mental health, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical appearance, sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding), ability, marital status, social class, and profession;
• La Centrale integrates decolonial feminist values and practices into its programming, operations and policies;
• La Centrale takes preventive, security, and sanction measures for inappropriate behavior in its establishment. The center therefore undertakes to assume its responsibilities by applying the Intervention Plan and the Complaints Management Policy in order to become a safer space;
• La Centrale is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space, primarily to people who are traditionally marginalized and experiencing oppression;
• La Centrale is committed to establishing an anti-oppressive organizational culture through training and awareness-raising for members, employees, the Board of Directors and all other collaborators.

La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse has created the Basis of Unity with the intention of being transparent towards its community. As a public-facing document, The Basis of Unity is meant to ensure that everyone who is involved either directly or indirectly with La Centrale is aware of and respects the organization’s founding values. The Basis of Unity is a working document, continuously evolving according to the criticism and input of our community. La Centrale continues to rethink its structure, organizational practices, and programming in order to fully realize its anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and decolonial mandate and values.