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NETWORKS OF HUMAN LANDSCAPES: An Exploration of Grassroots Place-Based Arts Initiatives, Visionary Collective Projects, and Alternative Creative Communities in the US of A.

Possible Projects/ Case Studies
Place-based Arts Initiatives: City Repair (OR), Works/Progress (MN), Version Fest (IL), Marginal Arts Festival (VA), Chautauqua Art Lab(MO), Art Shanty Projects (MN), Artica (MO), Temporary Services (IL), Incubate (IL)

Alternative Creative Communities: Ida (TN), Possibility Alliance (MO), Twin Oaks (VA), Elsewhere Collective (NC), Bread and Puppet Theater (VT), Project Row Houses (TX), Slab City (NV), Dorchester Projects (IL), CAMP (MO)

Visionary Collective Projects: Swimming Cities (International), Fluxus Movement (International), Bare Bones (MN), Burning Man (NV), New Orleans Airlift (LA), City Museum (MO), Beehive Collective (ME), People’s Joy Parade (MO), May Day Parade (MN),

Points of Reference
Back to the Land Movement, Co-Ops, Ant Farm, George Maciunas. Fluxus, Black Mountain, Buckmister Fuller, Global Village, Videofreex, Situationists, Black Mask, Gurilla Girls, Spaceframe, Superflex/ CopyShop, YKNB, Crass, Miranda July, Peggy Diggs, Social Practice, Hull House, Jane Addams, Chautauqua Movement, DIY Culture,

:Format Possibilities
An mobile living museum/exhibition accompanied by a Chautauqua-like event series and place-based workshops. Museum will contain models, photographs, short films, stories and a “Tool Kit” containing case studies, projects, historical context, and information for other wanting to start similar projects.

Format References
Boise Voices Storytelling Project. America Recycled (Cross-country Bike Tour, Film, & Blog). Tactical Technology Collective “10 Tactics for Turning Information Into Action”, Three Walls “Phone Book“, Bruce Davidson & Carol Hill “Subsistence USA”, Foxfire Series

Context
In our country’s current economic situation and global environmental shift, modes of localized networks are increasingly more important. Creative communities provide outlets for exploration, avenues for relationship building, idea formulation, and modes of support in an increasingly disconnected society. The intent of these studies is to focus on what’s possible by providing inspiration and knowledge that can be applied to many types of programming.

Motivation
* Identified need for this information through personal experience and conversations with other organizations, spaces and individuals nationwide as institutional funding sources remain unstable in the current economy.

* Years of experience doing this myself through trial and error, research, and friendship. Which has resulted in a wealth of Documentation, personal connections, and access to many of the projects listed.

* Though some of this information is available through conferences, educational programs, books, and small networks; very little has been complied in an tangible way for those without access to these resources.

* Currently many grassroots tactics are being transposed into community development initiatives and creative city planning nationwide. Documentation of these projects can serve as a point of reference and learning.

* Interested in the ways in which grassroots arts initiatives influence neighborhoods, communities, and foster relationships.

* To create more avenues for exchange and drum up support for these types of projects on local and national levels.

Criteria
Sustainable projects that began and are able to be maintained without significant funding from institutions who still adhere to a grassroots agenda. Projects should primarily operate on donations and in-kind gifts. All should have a community focus or collaborative element.

Resources & References
Community Arts Network, Directory of International Communities, Fluxus Network, Shelter Magazine, Three Walls “Phone Book 3“, Temporary Services “Self- Reliance Library”, Alliance of Artists Communities, Josh Macphee and Erik Reuland “Realizing the Impossible, Art Against Authority”, Grant H. Kester “Conversation Pieces: Community and Communication in Modern Art”, Jim Stratton “Pioneering in the Urban Wilderness”, Open #14 “Art as Public Issue: How Art and It’s Institutions Reinvent the Public Dimension”, Miwon Kwon “One Place After Another: Site-Specific Art and Locational Identity”,

Ethics
Ask permission, honor friendships and networks, use accurate information, do not copy anyone’s work but be encouraged by it . ask questions, be honest about intentions, allow the project’s outcome to shift and change.

Questions
How has your threshold question evolved? Its becoming more concrete. Focusing on a project has helped with this clarity. I imagine it to shift into a narrower concept as I begin my research. I imagine I’ll find commonalities between projects and ideas of which I wasn’t aware.

What specific issue, idea, or question lends itself to a small research project? This is not a small project, it’s my life’s work. The outcome will be an exhibition, book, or combination of the two.

Localized Short-version:
Chautauqua Art Lab 2012: Symposium of Abandoned (See)scapes
Day (March)- Community-wide planning meeting, potluck & fundraiser
Week( April)- Cherokee Street exhibition & event series at Pig Slop Studios during Convening.
Month (May)- .Events, exhibitions, lectures, community dinners, etc throughout St Louis City.

What do you need to know to move forward? How to make a digital presentation/ slideshow, avenues for book publishing and editing- I do understand self-publishing, will need to locate funding sources (kickstarter, grants, donations), workshop gigs, or exchanges to fund field research in July & August and a subleaser for my apartment.