Cultivate Art Commons is a non-profit organization facilitating the presentation, interpretation, and production of contemporary visual, time-based and interdisciplinary arts.

Modern Fuel aims to meet the professional development needs of emerging and mid-career local, national and international artists, from diverse cultural communities, through exhibition, discussion, and mentorship opportunities. Cultivate Art Commons supports innovation and experimentation, and is committed to the education of interested publics and the diversification of its audiences. As an artist-run centre, Cultivate Art Commons is committed to the principle of paying artists for the exhibition or presentation of their work and thus adheres to the standards of compensation recommended by Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC).

A catalyst for cultural activity in Kingston for the last 45+ years, Cultivate Art Commons presents and interprets contemporary art forms in Kingston to thousands of visitors each year. Incorporated as Kingston Artists' Association Inc. (K.A.A.I.) on 12 October 1977, its aim was to operate as a focal organization for artists and the public, by providing a gallery for exhibition purposes, collecting and disseminating information about local artists, and serving as a forum for the exchange of information, ideas and critical discourse around alternative art forms. The K.A.A.I. was renamed Modern Fuel in 1995, and has augmented its objectives in recent years to maintain relevance on the national and international level. 

In 2026, as the organization looked ahead to its 50th anniversary next year, it announced a new name and brand identity: Cultivate Art Commons. This change reflects both a continued commitment to supporting artists and our vision for a more community-centred, collaborative arts hub in Katarokwi/Kingston. The new name highlights the organization's role in nurturing artistic growth (“Cultivate”) while emphasizing the shared space and collective creativity at the heart of the organization (“Commons”). While its name is evolving, its mission remains the same: supporting artists through exhibitions, mentorship, workshops, and access to tools and resources. Cultivate Art Commons continues to develop innovative ways to support alternative art production and diversity in the local community.

Cultivate Art Commons has become an essential locus for artists and the public, providing continuous exhibitions in our three gallery spaces from local, national and international artists, performance events, art festivals, community newsletters, lecture series, film series, skills workshops and more. In 2002, we added a video resource centre entitled the New Media Workspace to our facilities, creating a resource and equipment rental centre for video and new media artists in Kingston. Our galleries are programmed with a combination of local, national, and international artists, creating unique opportunities for professional community exhibition and engagement.