Canal formed in May 2006 with the aim of presenting a range of activities including discussions, screenings and performances. Originally based in a dedicated space on Vyner Street, East London, it is now a peripatetic organisation hosted by different venues according to the project in hand. As an informal group of artists and curators, Canal acts as a framework to generate a programme which is not exhibition-led but incorporates practitioners from other fields in addition to the visual arts. Canal is Anna Colin, Matthew Darbyshire, Sarah McCrory and Olivia Plender. It has worked with Simon Martin, Phyllida Barlow and Elinor Jansz among others. Hosted by venues including Peer, Between Bridges and AK28, Canal is now working on a series of projects for the Whitechapel Gallery's one-year offsite project, The Street.