manifesto

The most basic function of the arts, why society continues to produce artists, is not just to provide advanced or refined forms of entertainment but to be relevant in the advancement of culture.

Galapagos does not accept government grants or public funding of any kind. We believe that if the work we present is strong, communicative, and effective, we will survive.

If we don't produce strong, communicative and effective work then we won't survive - we're not doing children's programming, we're not feeding the hungry, we make art. If we can't be grown-up enough about that and stand up on our own, then we don't think we'd have anything interesting to tell you anyway.

This is New York City. One of the greatest cultural cities to have ever risen, perhaps the greatest. We're not sitting around smoking rope dreaming of the grant we applied for.

We have our whole lives to live and that is terribly important.

Culture should reflect that clearly.

Robert Elmes
Director, Galapagos Art Space
718.384.4586 x7