Opening in December 2006, Civilian launched as a roving gallery project working with art spaces throughout Washington, DC. Civilian was created to support a core base of talented, professional artists who had worked closely with the gallery's founder for several years and were in need of formal representation by a gallery in order to propel their careers forward. Civilian quickly secured a permanent gallery space in downtown Washington where it currently presents the work of these artists. In addition to its exhibition program, Civilian sponsors a "Civilian partners" series where the gallery, the artists, and the community unite in forums and events designed to discuss artists and art making, current world events, and ideas and tools toward channeling art as a tool for activism. Events have also been known to be about the art idea or just having a good time - both are central threads to creating community.
Operating through a hybrid commercial/cooperative model, Civilian sells artwork to sustain artists and the enterprise; it also promotes and hosts events addressing issues and tensions relevant to the dialogue of an open society. To this end, Civilian stimulates and presents projects connected to social movements as seen in its work to build broader awareness for issues of pressing importance including discussing world conflicts, climate change, and human rights.
Civilian represents professional artists working in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, video, site-specific installation, photography, sound, and new modes of art making. More information on these artists can be found on the artist's pages. Every exhibition is designed by the artist and includes comprehensive ephemera, an artist talk, and other events. Civilian promotes the artists' work and the artists' career through this public exhibition program, participation in other events in Washington, DC and beyond including participation in art fairs, and through projects and collaborations with artists, curators, activists, writers, and other change makers.