Updates and Deadlines for Bellingham Center for the Arts
And some great news
Today we received a gift of a drill press, a table saw, a compressor and nail guns, a solid wood work bench, a bunch of wood scrap, and an air filtration system for the arts center. This week, we are meeting with people from different studios around town to see who would like to be involved in collaboratively building the center. The next week will be spent in additional talks and efforts to raise the first 100K so that we can find an adequate space for the center.
We are searching for people who want to create their own positions within the space, so this process will be 100% collaborative, in that what comes to the center will be what shapes its future. The bottom line for participation is compassion, empathy, and heart-centered service as guiding principles, in words and more importantly, in action.
Art and Education
One of the questions we are asking ourselves is if creativity is “educated out” of us as we go through school, how can we create curriculum that does the same thing in reverse? For example, school teaches kids to give up autonomy to the teacher, to whom they must obey. So, in what ways can we teach people to question authority, defy tyranny, and build a community that truly takes care of all who come? What if we could replace competition with community? What if we could replace a love of power with the power of love?
These are more than platitudes, these are questions we have to ask if we are to stand and endure the coming tyranny.
We are moving forward with some guidelines and timelines:
Guidelines:
People always come first. No job, even the ones building the center are worth compromising health and well being. The center will be built in its own time.
Access to the arts and arts careers can be taught in a way that also includes compassionate and conscientious citizenship. Defining the human condition as innately generous and loving is part of the curriculum.
People must be able to live. No matter what job you do at the center, you will make the same money as the person next to you.
People must be able to live. No matter what job you do at the center, you will have some form of medical coverage.
People must be able to live. No matter what job you do at the center, your schedule will be one which energizes, rather than drains you
Timelines:
January 13-17: gather participants, equipment, and materials for the center
January 20-24: gather participants, equipment, materials, and funds for the center
January 27-31: gather participants, equipment, materials, and funds for the center
February 3-7: Launch Kickstarter to raise money for the center
February 10-28: run Kickstarter to raise money for the center, find and reserve the space needed for the participants, equipment, and materials we have gathered for the center. Build and launch the website.
First week of March: Begin moving into the center
April: Begin teaching people how to teach printmaking, woodworking, painting, drawing, and found object art so that they can teach at the center. Start accepting art into the gallery shop so that the shop is ready to open in May.
May: Shop will open, workshops will begin, classes will be posted on the website and on the social media channel.
The Big Thing
Our big thing is that people will always come first at the center, so the above dates are subject to change based on the needs of the people who are starting the business. This is a collaborative community center, and we must make space for our community to shift, develop, and evolve. Sometimes things come about in their own time.
How you can help
Please share this substack with the people in your community. If you know people who might be interested in helping, in teaching, or in funding, get them in touch with us.
We will be putting out a call for 100 people to fund our Kickstarter in the first hour it launches so that it will move to the top of the queue. The minimum amount will be $10, the maximum, $25K. If you want to be notified so that you can purchase some swag to help the center, subscribe to this newsletter.
Opportunities in Bellingham:
make.shift art space is holding its GALA on January 25. Get tickets HERE.
Help Ragfinery rebuild after a devastating fire did extensive damage to their building and goods. Help them HERE.
Whatcom Museum Nature photo exhibition submissions
As always, thank you for your support.
Kindly,
The team at Bellingham Center for the Arts