Motto
Today, when more and more people tend to think dangerously alike, art’s capacity to suspend, even for a moment, our habitual ways of seeing may be its greatest value.
Mission
DOX is a non-commercial, independent initiative whose mission is to present contemporary art in the context of issues that shape and are shaped by today‘s world.
Objectives
To encourage the growth of the local artistic community by facilitating collaboration and partnerships among regional and international artists and institutions.
To examine critical issues that cross boundaries between different fields such as architecture, design, sculpture, painting, photography, film and new media.
To create an environment for interaction, development and inspiration of different views and opinions.
The aim is not only to present exhibitions and works of art, but also to create a dynamic forum for social interaction.
History of the DOX Centre
Founders/ Initiators
The DOX Centre was initiated in 2002 by Leoš Válka, along with several partners (Robert Aafjes, Richard Fuxa and Václav Dejčmar). The goal of this initiative is to serve the wider public by creating a living arts centre, becoming a platform for the exhibition of Czech and international contemporary art.
Leoš Válka left for Australia in 1981 and came back again to permanently live in Prague in 1995. His field of enterprise is construction and interior design; his lifelong passion is architecture and contemporary art. He is the current director of the DOX centre.
Jaroslav Anděl, artistic director of DOX, produced numerous exhibitions and publications on modern and contemporary art at home as well as abroad.
International Advisory Board of DOX Centre
Vicente Todolí, Director, Tate Modern, London
David Elliott, Artistic Director, Sydney Biennale
Willis Hartshorn, Director, International Centre of Photography, New York
Henry Meyric Hughes, Honorary President of AICA, London
Suzanne Landau, Chief Curator, Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Reyn van der Lugt, former Chief Curator, Netherlands Architecture Institute, Rotterdam
Jonas Mekas, Founder and Artistic Director, Anthology Film Archives, New York
Legal status
DOX Prague, a.s. is a non-profit company pursuant to section 56 (1) of the act no. 513 / 1991 Coll., Czech commercial code as subsequently amended.
“The purpose of the company is not commercial, but rather supporting the advancement of contemporary art. All profit, with the exception of transfers, to which the organization is legally bound by employment laws, is used solely for the operation of DOX Prague”.
Financing
The following sources of revenue will comprise part of DOX’s annual budget:
- Operation (entrance fee, individual and corporate membership, restaurant lease, bookstore and one-time commercial functions)
- Contributions from sponsors and revenue from marketing activities
- Contributions from city, state and European institutions
As a privately funded non-profit arts and education organization, DOX´s ability to present contemporary art to the public is due in large part to the generosity of the sponsors. For DOX to continue to grow and succeed in its mission, such support is vital.
Partners of DOX: Ministry of Culture, City of Prague, TECHO a.s.
Media Partners: Hospodářské noviny and Art Map (www.artmap.cz)
