Chris Bailkoski is an independent curator with over 20 years’ experience developing collaborative practices with artists to co-create dynamic exhibitions and events, predominantly focusing on grassroots visual and musical artists in Greater Manchester. He has founded several cultural enterprises including music venue SOUP (2010), artist development platform PROFORMA (2017) and resident-led gallery Longsight Community Art Space CIC (2022).
He created nomadic exhibition and professional development platform PROFORMA with a vision to deliver dynamic, time-restricted and site responsive exhibitions and support artists working at the intersection of performance and visual art practices. Developed through research during his MA Contemporary Curating (2016-18), Chris has since conceptualised and delivered over 14 site-responsive exhibitions and established several ongoing residency programmes nationally and internationally including Venice and, Manchester’s twin city, Chemnitz.
Identifying the need to consolidate elements of PROFORMA’s socially engaged practices, Longsight Community Art Space was originally a two-year organisational residency in an area of multiple deprivation in Manchester. Formalising into a resident-led CIC in 2024, Chris now provides guidance there as a trustee.
Through his work, Chris has supported over 150 visual artists through mentoring, exhibition, and residency opportunities.
