Such organizations are formed for the purpose of developing and promoting the work of artists in various visual and performing art forms such as film, sculpture, dance, painting, multimedia, poetry, and performance art.
Although museums and performing arts societies have existed for centuries, they have proliferated since the end of World War II.
In Canada, a series of artist-run organizations often known as "parallel galleries" or artist-run centres (ARCs) have developed in cities across the country since the 1960s to encourage the exhibition of contemporary works by Canadian and international artists.
Whereas nonprofits are organizations run by salaried employees and often volunteer boards with a community mission.
These organizations operate like a business but have different tax identification and are supported additionally by grants.