Title: Candor Arts Collection, 2013-2021
Arrangement
Collection arranged by administrative, operational, and digital records. The collection includes a section for oversized items.
Abstract
The collection consists of proofs, design mockups, application materials, ephemera, contracts, photo documentation and e-mail correspondence from Candor Arts. Candor Arts was a small Chicago press founded in 2016 by Matt Austin. The press was created to provide an alternative publishing experience for artists that allowed for more collaboration, content control, no upfront costs and an equal split of profits between Candor and the artists.
Administrative/Biographical History
Originally developed in L.A. in 2015 by Matt Austin and Ally Hasche, Candor Arts Press began as an online boutique of homemade artist goods. However, after moving to Chicago in 2016, Candor Arts was reincorporated under the co-ownership of Austin and Melanie Teresa Bohrer as a small artist book publishing company. Candor Arts were created to identify exploitative relationships between institutions and the artists they represent. With this mission, the press provided artists an alternative to the self-sacrificing aspects tied to art publishing, such as: needing to contribute significant amounts of funds, relinquishing control of content, censorship, and/or possession of rights, or (most commonly) that the publishing institution will disproportionately profit from the artist’s published work. Between August 2016 and February 2020, Candor Arts press binders Austin, Bohrer, Katie Chung, and Hannah Batsel produced over 5,000 books by hand. Additional assistance in critical times of heavy production included Justin Nalley, Lauren Zollo, Molly Berkson, and Devyn Mañibo. In March of 2020, as the global pandemic impacted business across the United States, the press’ staff shrank to only include Austin and Bohrer with much of the printing being outsourced. On May 18th, 2021, Candor Arts Press closed its on-site location and by September 2021, they had also closed their website. Author: Koukouy Chery
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