In acknowledgement of the influential role of artist driven organisations in the cultural realm, the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres has announced Infest; an international event designed to strengthen the presence of artist run centres within the cultural ecology and public imagination. InFest, slated for February 25 –29, 2004, will feature exhibitions and performances, discussion forums, networking events, public education programs, and social gatherings. Canada has a thirty year history of artist helmed activity and is home to more than one hundred centres from coast to coast, but the past five years have seen a boom around the world in countries as varied as Korea, Honduras, Thailand, Argentina, South Africa, and Hong Kong. With different mandates, structures and funding sources, the term 'artist run centre' eludes clear definition and will be a chief topic of discussion at InFest. Others issues to be explored include funding, writing and criticism, international exchange and the artist as curator. Thirty speakers and presenters will converge on Vancouver from Montréal, Toronto, London, Seoul, Stockholm, New York, San Francisco, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires and Guadalajara - making Infest the largest meeting yet in North America of representatives from international artist run organisations. For further information on Infest, CLICK HERE.