The Buckham Fine Arts Project was founded in 1984 by a group of Flint-area artists, who sought to fulfill the city’s need for a local exhibition and performance venue that would direct its creative attention to presenting ambitious work. After the inception of its cooperative membership, Buckham Gallery mounted its first exhibition in May of 1984. As Buckham Fine Arts Project, an artist-led nonprofit organization, approaches its 40th anniversary it continues to look for new and better ways to support artists and promote inclusivity. Buckham Gallery contributes to the cultural landscape in our region by exhibiting innovative, contemporary art and by providing our community with opportunities to deeply engage with those sometimes challenging exhibitions through accessible programming and enlightening presentations. Buckham strives to present work not already available through other local venues by bringing artists to Flint from across the country and fostering a dialogue between those artists and the issues explored by local creators. Programming that supplements Buckham's exhibitions include artist talks and panel discussions, as well as BFAP: Writer In Residence. In response to COVID-19, virtual gallery talks are accessible on Buckham Gallery's YouTube channel, reaching an audience beyond Flint and Genesee County. Online viewing rooms continue to enable our audience to view exhibitions from home. These virtual programs are expanded upon as Covid-19 persists, helping Buckham reach ever-wider audiences and establishing Buckham as an important voice in contemporary exhibition programming. Buckham continues to host events such as Flint's ARTWALK, in-person artist receptions, Open Mic, community artistic dialogue events including Cider & Slides, as well as community building activities like the Buckham Print Exchange. Our outreach efforts include: Buckham Artists at Karmanos, BFAP: On Screen to benefit area nonprofits, and internships for UM-Flint students to provide professional development opportunities for area art majors and to develop institutional partnerships that help establish Flint as a cultural campus. New in 2021-2022, BFAP has partnered with UM-Flint Arts + Culture Research Cluster to offer a Flint Emerging Artist Fellowship. Through these programs, Buckham acts as a thoughtful voice that strives to inspire local artists and to inspire artists, thinkers, and collectors from outside the area to engage with Flint. BFAP is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, funded in part through grants awarded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the GFAC Share Art Genesee Grant Program. The gallery solicits sponsors for major exhibitions and publications; individual donors support the gallery through our annual fund, sponsorships, and general donations.
