Ada X
Ada X, formerly known as Studio XX, is a feminist artist-run centre based in Montreal, Canada. Founded in 1996, it focuses on the promotion and production of new media art by offering workshops, artist residencies and by hosting exhibitions. It operates in French and English. The studio is currently located at 4001 rue Berri in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood of Montreal.
History
Studio XX was founded by Sheryl Hamilton, Patricia Kearns, Kathy Kennedy, and Kim Sawchuk in 1996. They started with an equipment sharing program and a computer lab that they themselves put together from older computer models. Their intention was to create a feminist space that encouraged the creation and dissemination of new media art. Additionally, Studio XX acted and still acts today as a source of education and conversation on the topic of digital technologies with the goal of "demystifying and deconstructing digital technologies through critical examination." This was and still is a part of a philosophy known Cyberfeminism. The studio has an emphasis on developing a digital democracy. Digital democracy ensures accessibility to and training on digital technologies for those who may face hurdles in obtaining this knowledge otherwise. This entails educating, equipping, exhibiting, and celebrating the works of people who are marginalized within the community.Name Change
Until 2020, Ada X operated under the name Studio XX. The XX in the title was in reference to the female chromosome. However, after some deliberation, members decided that the name did not accurately represent the beliefs of the community as it was not inclusive of trans, non-binary and queer artists. The name Ada X, standing for Art, Digital, Activism was chosen. The singular X represents the studio's history as well as being a symbol for "an intersection of gender that is rich, manifold and fluid" In conjunction with this name change of the studio, the affiliated radio program XX Files changed its name to Ffiles.Services
Members of the studio have access to a variety of services including access to the computer lab, equipment and space rentals. Since 2017, Ada X has introduced a unique theme that guides its programming over a certain time period. Past and current themes include, DISLOCATIONS, Invisible Labor and Slow Tech.Residency Program
Ada X offers artist residencies. This is a six-week period of time, in which the artist chosen has access to a private workstation, workshops and studio equipment in order to realize a project. They are remunerated with an artist fee.Workshops & Exhibitions
Ada X offers a series of professional training workshops. Some past workshops have included topics such as website production, electronic audio, fabrication of solar batteries etc. Additionally, Ada X offers a range of educational activities aimed at younger audiences. Ada X also organizes and curates a variety of exhibits as part of its programming.Notable Projects
HTMlles Festival
HTMlles is an international media arts and digital arts festival established by Ada X in 1997. The festival takes place across multiple venues, and it occurs biennially. The festival's mandate states that "each edition explores urgent socio-political questions through a series of exhibitions, round tables, conferences, performances and workshops." HTMlles Festival regularly partners with various Montreal based organizations including Eastern Bloc,,, La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse, y,,, Studio 303,, and .| Year | Themes | Reference |
| 2020 | Slow Tech | |
| 2018 | Beyond the # — Failures and Becomings | |
| 2016 | Terms of Privacy | |
| 2014 | ZÉR0 FUTUR | |
| 2012 | Risky Business | |
| 2010 | Home Land | |
| 2007 | Crowd Control | |
| 2005 | Peripheries + Proximities | |
| 2003 | Active Agent | |
| 2002 | The Double, the Multiple and Contamination in Web Art | |
| 2001 | Mutating Cultures and Identity | |
| 2000 | n.a | |
| 1998 | n.a | |
| 1997 | n.a |