THIS MUST BE THE PLACE is an independent curatorial project that fosters kinship between and makes space for artists. It currently exists as an online gallery and a publishing house.
Foregrounding work by neurodivergent artists, we offer exhibitions, publications, and other programming that seeks to promote inclusivity, community and art exchange.
We publish books periodically through THE PLACE PRESS. Artists who publish with us receive a flat fee/honorarium with the first limited edition printing, and a percentage of sales on all subsequent printings.
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE was founded in 2020 by Samantha Mitchell and Virginia Fleming, artists and art educators based in Philadelphia.
On how we talk about art & artists at THE PLACE
In seeking an egalitarian platform for artists from a range of experience and perspective, THE PLACE commits to not categorizing living, working artists with developmental disabilities by labels that might be marginalizing, such as outsider, vernacular, or visionary. We look forward to a time in our history where such labels are phased out, when we can see artists as ARTISTS.