I first discovered Big Medium while attending a "Austin Green Drinks" sustainability presentation at a neighboring gallery in early 2014. Since then, I have become a regular visitor and volunteer. Located in the Canopy development on Springdale Road, Big Medium has a focus on contemporary art and artists in Texas. Big Medium produces the East Austin Studio Tour, West Austin Studio Tour, Texas Biennial, and it hosts innovative exhibitions during the year.
Having several artists as friends, I cannot say enough how important the Big Medium tours and exhibitions are to them. They are truly invaluable. I have also found the Big Medium staff to be very friendly and genuinely supportive of artists of all walks of life and all artistic styles. Their approach is "real" and refreshing. They take risks. I like that.
Another aspect of Big Medium is that it provides affordable studio space to artists, and partners with various organizations in Texas, "to help foster the arts and facilitate an inclusive cultural dialogue between artists and their communities." Big Medium director Shea Little has mentioned to me more than once his interest in more affordable housing for artists in Austin, and similar to the plight of many Austin-area musicians, this is truly a critical need.