Like Minded Artists Listening Listening Session Summary Jan. 20, 2008 The following items were discussed: Great News First!! A very generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous has given us the money to purchase the start up kit from the Torpedo Factory. To that wonderful, person, thank you for your support of our efforts. The Like Minded Artists web site is up and running and there is a forum for discussions ready to go. The url is: http://www.likemindedartists.com/. If you haven't been to the site, check it out and let's get some discussion started. The survey that is on the web site right now is just a test. Cheryl will begin work on the actual survey very soon. If anyone is interested in seeing some of the samples we are considering as models, contact me and I'll send the information to you. If you have any ideas for questions that should be included in the survey you can send them to me or Cheryl through the web site. Current Goals for LMA: #1 get a web site and thanks to Cheryl we can check that off our list. #2 get the survey online and start gathering our data - that will happen very soon. #3 secure the information from the Torpedo Factory - coming soon. #4 we need a logo/graphic identity for branding purposes. #5 setup an online LMA network where individual artists and art organization can post their information; where events, opportunities, and call for artists can be announced; and where businesses supporting the arts can be recognized. We want this network to be the like the yellow pages for the arts in Seminole County - the first place you look or rather click when you search for everything arts related. There was a great deal of discussion about our next step. If we hope to be able to make a living as artists, we need community, corporate, and government support. The BIG question is how do we accomplish that task? We need your ideas and input - go to the forum and let's get the discussion going. This is going to be a grass roots effort so start sowing some seeds. 1) Do you have people who have bought your work or attended your performances, and value the arts? Talk with them about LMA. Share the web site with them, and invite them to one of our listening sessions or other gatherings. 2) We need more artists from all the arts to get involved. Spread the word. If you have any media contacts tell them too. People must know we exist if we want them to become involved in this process. If you have a website then link to the LMA site. 3) Bring at least one other artist or supporter of the arts to our next session or gathering. 4) Much of our work is going to be education. We have to demonstrate the value of the arts. Once we have created a strong community base, then we can begin the work to create a physical space. "We need to continue researching other successful models. Gather your data and share it on line or at our next gathering. "We are planning a Social Gathering date, time and location to be announced soon. This is going to be a BYOB - Bring Your Own Brunch. It will not be a formal Listening Session, we just want to get together to share some food, drink, ideas and discussion. As soon as we have the details we will send out the information and also post it on the web site. This is an exciting time, and we are gaining momentum. The discussion has been started and now it is time for ACTION. What can you do to help create the LMA Community? Consider the items you checked on the initial questionnaire and roll up your sleeves to help start creating this community for artists. Remember: The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created - created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination." (Deborah James) |
