Embassy Cultural House

About Embassy Cultural House

Embassy Cultural House is a virtual artist-run space and community website in the Old East Village of London, Ontario. It was established in 1983 as a community-driven gallery and interdisciplinary program space and closed its physical doors in 1990. In 2020, the organization was re-envisioned as a digital platform to recognize the contributions of the arts and culture community that came of age in the city during the 1960s and 1970s. It is a not-for-profit collective that includes an intergenerational perspective and programs regarding relationships with Indigenous Peoples. The organization offers digital archives and cultural resources, including indexes of visual artists, photographers, musicians, and performers, as well as records of past exhibitions, films, music, and performances from 1983 to 1990. It features the ECH Shop and content regarding socially-engaged cultural programs. The project includes a focus on Indigenous history and reconciliation, including information on the "Save the Evidence" campaign and the history of the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School. Tariq Hassan Gordon spearheaded the project and is supported by co-founders Jamelie Hassan and Ron Benner, along with a team of volunteers, partners, and community contributors. The organization is a member of the Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference (ARCA). Its archives are housed at the Ivey Family London Room at the London Public Library. The ECH operates as a volunteer project supported by donations and project arts grants, with 100% of funds directed toward programs, technical support, and professional fees for contributors.