ABOUT

A Collective of Collectives
is a self-organized, non-profit and decentralized initiative between various artist-run spaces operating in Athens aimed to strengthen the ties between the community. A Collective of Collectives culminates in a yearly art festival that takes place across these spaces in Athens over the course of 2 weeks.
The festival coordinates the programming of all participating venues to provide an accessible experience that serves as a snapshot of the current state of the Athenian art scene. A Collective of Collectives operates without a central authority – it applies a horizontal structure that represents the art community of the city in a fair and equal way. Notably, it is largely sustained by women and queer communities, shaping the scene with their perspectives and practices.

A Collective of Collectives began in 2024, hosting the first edition of the CoC Art Festival.
The first edition brought together 10 artist-run initiatives that aligned their schedules over the course of 1 weekend. The second edition took place in 2025, this time showcasing 18 participating artist-run spaces and an extended 2 week runtime.

In recent years, Athens has witnessed an explosion in its artistic community. Beyond large, profit-oriented institutions and galleries, much of the production and creation by new and emerging artists and communities take place in self-managed, independent spaces. These collective-based initiatives have nurtured a thriving ecosystem that the CoC Art Festival seeks to bring together, strengthening self-funded or semi-funded artist-run projects that constitute the contemporary incubator of Athens’ underground, experimental cultural scene.

Criticizing centralized models of artistic authority, these spaces challenge conventional structures of curation, aiming to produce personal, collective and networked approaches. By shifting the focus from external demands to personal narratives, and positioning artists as both subject and creator, they cultivate a non-hierarchical, fluid structure where individual and cultural histories intersect. The emphasis is on co-producing rather than imposing, reinforcing art as an evolving, participatory process rather than a fixed, authoritative statement.

By creating connections between art spaces across Athens, we seek to promote greater accessibility, visibility and collaboration in the local art community. We aim to empower art spaces, artists and curators to reach a wider audience, share resources and collaborate to enhance the city's cultural landscape.
Through comprehensive mapping and outreach, we are building a network of self-managed art spaces, fostering partnerships and joint programming that highlight the diverse artistic voices of Athens. At the same time, by making it easier for people to discover, access, and engage with these spaces, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation of the city’s art scene and provide a platform for creatives to thrive.

This project is more than just a catalogue or an advertising campaign. It is a concentrated effort to strengthen ties within the city.

VALUES

The Collective of Collectives exists to strengthen Athens' independent art ecosystem through collaboration. We believe an artist-run culture thrives through mutual support and shared responsibility. These values guide how we organise, collaborate, and welcome new participants into the network.

Artist-led

We support initiatives shaped by artists and cultural workers rather than commercial or institutional priorities.

Self-organisation

We value autonomy and independent ways of organising cultural activity without a centralized authority.

Mutual support

We see participating spaces as collaborators rather than competitors, and encourage the sharing of knowledge, resources, and opportunities.

Respect

We aim to foster environments that are welcoming, respectful, supportive and safe for artists, audiences, neighbours, and fellow organisers. We aim to cultivate respectful relationships with the neighborhoods of central Athens and to build a resistant network that challenges the forces of capital and gentrification, strengthening rather than displacing the social and urban fabric of central Athens.

Collaboration

We believe that independent initiatives become stronger through cooperation. The festival exists to create connections between spaces, artists, organisers, and audiences while preserving the autonomy of each participant.

Responsibility

We believe an artist-run culture should support artists through fair, transparent, and sustainable collaboration. We encourage practices that share resources and responsibilities equitably, contribute positively to their local communities, and reduce unnecessary financial and social barriers so that artistic opportunities remain accessible regardless of economic background.

Safe community

As an independent initiative dedicated to connecting the many artist-run project spaces across Athenian neighborhoods, we also strive to co-create safer spaces where we can learn, share, and create together. We are therefore committed to fostering an environment free from discrimination, and we oppose all discriminatory practices and behaviors.

CONTACT