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Indie Art Capital of the World Ideas

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Started 4 years ago by placebohigh
Latest reply from kitoba

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placebohigh
The Short North
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Heard another blip on NPR yesterday about the Columbus Indie Art initiative being adopted by City Council. There was a brief one-sentence commentary after that news clip that said how the plan seems like a great idea but "doesn't have funding or a clear plan."
Well, as we already know from previous discussions, the idea that Columbus is the "Indie Art Capital of the World" has drawn skepticism and criticism in local media outlets (the Other Paper has had a series of letters critiquing the plan and on this site) -- but like all good ideas in order for the plan to be a success we have to learn to not back down and to take what others say with a grain of salt. Thought it may be nice to have a bit of brainstorming thread on ideas/suggestions on how to make them a reality.
Here's a few ideas I came up with:
1.) Partenering with the new downtown Artspace initiative/utilizing Orange Barrell Media for downtown wallscapes for visibility purposes (that of course would take $$...but obviously there's corporate sponsorship interest)
2.) A local music concert to benefit the Indie Art Music initiative with local bands of note (Times New Viking, St Vincent, Eric Metronome, for instance)...Carabar, The Basement or even a larger venue like The Newport with support from CD101 would be stellar.
3.) Partnering with local and new businesses for visibility and smaller art shows in addition to Gallery Hop. A lot of new businesses (especially now in the rocky economic climate) would be interested in the free publicity to draw in locals.
These would be some good ways to generate funding for the initiative. I heard somewhere once (although I'm not sure the source so don't quote me) that Columbus and Central Ohio has one of the highest giving/philanthropic donation rates in the country. That's a good thing for an idea like this.
Anyone else think of ideas?

Posted 4 years ago #
twistofreality
Northwest
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I think that the "clear plan" bit needs to be addressed before the "funding" bit so that proponents know what needs to be funded.
Coremodels seems to have some interesting stuff in the works. Are there things on your agenda that need money, Core?
Is there an official Mission Statement? Is this something that has exclusive backing from the CU community, or are there other groups with similar goals with whom partnerships would be beneficial? Do those groups have Mission Statements conducive to promoting the idea that Columbus is the Indie Art Capital of the World? Is there a goal beyond giving this city a cool tag line?
I have to admit that I've had to skip over a lot of recent posts due to vacation and other time away from internet access, so perhaps answers to these questions have already been aggregated into one source, but I think the movement could make do with some kind of source for information beyond scattered forum posts. Anyone have a web design bug?

Posted 4 years ago #
daniel
Old Town East
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So, I think this stuff is great, and I think if you're into it you should take a few minutes to go through the threads at your leisure and play catch-up a bit maybe.
There's an interesting (what I think is a) misunderstanding of the whole concept. The Columbus as Independent Art Capital of the World is not an organization. There are no members, agenda, project plans or financing.
It's an idea, a name that has a viral nature. Think of it like a funny youtube video. You watch it, you laugh, you pass it on, and then a few people will make their own video, maybe based on that first one (kevin kurgis + ZAS anyone?)
So, extrapolating that metaphor, Laura Alexander started spark. no money, she had a plan for it. coremodels is working on art in public places, with a plan only he knows. That grew into the city hall thing - which was championed by yet another random supporter - Lelia Cady.
I'm working on getting people together for a podcast, no plan, no money. Some bigger things - like the conference - WILL require planning and money - so whomever wants to see that happen, start dreaming and asking around and making it happen. I know there are a handful of people waiting to jump into that once a few details get hammered out.
what am I missing? Melisa vogley-woods working on public art day - which will be super cool. that big art show downtown every summer. something with that. . . i'm not sure. Anyway, my point is, anyone has ideas is charged with leading them. That's the meat and potatos of this whole thing.
Absolutely NOTHING qualifies me to do a podcast. so if anyone else wants to beat me to it, I know of a radio station that might be into airing it. Point of that was also saying, I'm doing it anyway - and so should you with your ideas.

Posted 4 years ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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Yep, D has it about nailed. The Art in Public Spaces thing is just what it sounds like, I've collected (and continue to collect) a CD of images representing the work of local artists, and we want to have rotating shows in City Hall, Urban League, City Development Office, etc. as well as corporate locations downtown who don't have local art on display. Basically get local art into as many visible spots as possible, so it becomes a daily experience of living in Columbus. Luckily, it's a no budget type deal, just sweat equity.
Laura's show is really exciting, and we hope to see some City Council members at Spark! this month! The podcast is shaping up to be pretty interesting I think (despite the lack of Shamanism), and the beautiful thing is all of these are just effort...not dollar...investments.
Conference wise, I agree, that's going to take more doing. As a concrete plan for it begins to develop, I'll be knocking on doors and dialing for dollars to find corporate or individual sponsorship.
I'm particularly with your 3rd suggestion though, of tying in more and more local businesses into displaying art and even having full shows. I think I'll try and approach the Grandview Hop and talk to both the Worthington and Dublin art groups as well, just for starters.
I've got some health issues that have popped up that may sideline me a bit, but don't really know for sure yet. Meanwhile, it's full speed ahead!

Posted 4 years ago #
columbus native
Columbus the indie art capital of the world
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The spirt of Indie si exactly what we speak of here. being able to complete a vision with only the on hand means. There is no reason that we need to focus on sponsorships and funding when that takes us away from art which is the fucus. If we continue to create our art and support the movement with each stride the whole thing will begin to take shape. The bigger need for planning and funding is as stated with the Indie Arts Conference as the major need. That will shape as other events and side projects take shape and gain public focus.
As for other things that are in the works for the Movement.
February 15th and 16th Junctionview Studios, Myself, and Mike Reed will present the CNote art show. This will be an Agora style and sized event that will focus on art being sold at a price point of $100 each. The focus of this event will be to not only help artist make money to provide for future projects, but also will get the first time art collectors to makie that initial purchase of original local art. Anyone is invited to submit once the website is up and running here shortly, and no restriction will be placed upon size or the number of pieces that are available for this price. if the community steps up to support this event and 500 pieces of art can get purchased in the course of the show then $50,000 can be provided to the movement while 500 artists have inspiration money and 500 people have a great new conversation piece for their home. I suggest that anyone interested either submit or come buy some artwork.
Comfest Art Involvement: As of next week on the 19th of December myself and a few other IAC supporters are going to start attending Comfest Meeting to discuss and set up Live/Public art at Comfest for this year. The hope is that a live mural wall can be painted by involved artists during the course of the festival under the IAC umbrella to add awareness and community. I have other ideas on how the IAC can be involved in Comfest, but this will require interfacing with the group in charge of the event. December 19th is the next meeting and more information will follow once we know more.
Go Figure! An international art show focusing on customized art toys that I have curated will present itself to the world via Columbus Ohio as the host. I already have many national and several International artists involved and have recieved very positive feedback on Columbus being a good place to host this kind of event. Any local artist is encouraged to submit their interest in getting involved by emailing me at coreroc@gmail.com and submitting a short statement with intention. Then you will need to purchase a urban art diy toy and get started. these should be purchased at Rivet to support the locals that invest in lowbrow art and urabn art toys, byt they can also be found numerous places online. This event will help prove to the world that Columbus is a suitable location to support a thriving art culture and an international scope.
So in deed things are in the works for the movement, but then again there can never be enough on the platter to prove that we are a stable art community. So please anyone with ideas on a show or art based project please move forward and if you need help with it I am more than welcome to jump in and I know that others would also. The fate is in OUR hands on this one.

Posted 4 years ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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TOTALLY forgot CNote is coming up, I have a lot of friends really looking forward to that.

Posted 4 years ago #
daniel
Old Town East
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columbus native wrote $50,000 can be provided to the movement while 500 artists have inspiration money and 500 people have a great new conversation piece.
so, a dumb question...
is the art being donated by the artists and sold to benefit the movement, or are the artists getting the money? is anyone besides artists taking any of the money to cover costs or reinvest?

Posted 4 years ago #
robertduffy
almost Clintonville
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skreened wrote
There's an interesting (what I think is a) misunderstanding of the whole concept. The Columbus as Independent Art Capital of the World is not an organization. There are no members, agenda, project plans or financing.
hey, i actually heard that there was sort of "IAC" committee trying to be set up... like a real organization...
was that bad info?
(just curious..)

Posted 4 years ago #
daniel
Old Town East
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robertduffy wrote
skreened wrote
There's an interesting (what I think is a) misunderstanding of the whole concept. The Columbus as Independent Art Capital of the World is not an organization. There are no members, agenda, project plans or financing.
hey, i actually heard that there was sort of "IAC" committee trying to be set up... like a real organization...
was that bad info?
(just curious..)
bad info.

Posted 4 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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I thought some sort of planning committee was going to be set up for the festival/conference idea for 2008?
Just not for the movement as a whole, right?

Posted 4 years ago #
daniel
Old Town East
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Walker wrote I thought some sort of planning committee was going to be set up for the festival/conference idea for 2008?
Just not for the movement as a whole, right?
well something big doesn't happen without a plan and a little work, so sure. but it's just another thing people are doing, just like . . .see the huge list above of things this has triggered.
the whole idea that this is or becomes or will become a committee flies in the face of the whole concept. However, if someone wants to join a group, there are plenty of established groups who are doing things together in Columbus. GCAC, galleries, or they can start their own. Some things can't be don't with loose organization, so thats where these things come in to play.

Posted 4 years ago #
columbus native
Columbus the indie art capital of the world
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skreened wrote
columbus native wrote $50,000 can be provided to the movement while 500 artists have inspiration money and 500 people have a great new conversation piece.
so, a dumb question...
is the art being donated by the artists and sold to benefit the movement, or are the artists getting the money? is anyone besides artists taking any of the money to cover costs or reinvest?
The money from sales will go directly to the artists themselves. No money will be deducted at this point from the show to benefit our promotion or overhead. The point is that artists are making a sacrifice to have the art be for $100 so i don't want them to feel the burdon of overhead. hopefully spomnsors will become available for the overhead and if not I will cover the cost ala Inde. I will set aside in the fashion of the Agora show a place to openly donate to the cause. Priority on the cause being CNote overhead first and IAC second. I would find that more benefit would come with 500 artists with money in their pockets and 500 collectors with local art on display in their homes than the show itself making money. this is truly a indie/support the arts type of affair.
Hopefully that covers the bases!?!

Posted 4 years ago #
greenhouse1014
Columbus
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Don't forget EMERGE, coming soon to a spot near you...OK, coming Feb 9 to Junctionview.
This show will ne for those who have never shown in a gallery b4. Know someone? Are you that someone? Send images to rfberry@wideopenwest.com.
Boomshakalaka!

Posted 4 years ago #
daniel
Old Town East
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greenhouse1014 wrote Don't forget EMERGE, coming soon to a spot near you...OK, coming Feb 9 to Junctionview.
This show will ne for those who have never shown in a gallery b4. Know someone? Are you that someone? Send images to rfberry@wideopenwest.com.
Boomshakalaka!
How have you been promoting this. I haven't heard about it until earlier in this thread?

Posted 4 years ago #
Daz
Tweeting about some totally unimportant event
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Ya know.. an idea kicked into my head the other day.
I wonder what it would take to get art to play a larger part in the school system. Art and music have been crippled by standardized testing and No Child Left Behind stuff.
It could be something as basic as artists donating their time to teach 6 year olds how to paint.
*shrug* I'll toy with this idea some more until it turns out better.

Posted 4 years ago #
daniel
Old Town East
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Daz wrote Ya know.. an idea kicked into my head the other day.
I wonder what it would take to get art to play a larger part in the school system. Art and music have been crippled by standardized testing and No Child Left Behind stuff.
It could be something as basic as artists donating their time to teach 6 year olds how to paint.
*shrug* I'll toy with this idea some more until it turns out better.
Oh man, I LOVE that idea.

Posted 4 years ago #
Coremodels
Really close to Explorer's Club.
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skreened wrote
Daz wrote Ya know.. an idea kicked into my head the other day.
I wonder what it would take to get art to play a larger part in the school system. Art and music have been crippled by standardized testing and No Child Left Behind stuff.
It could be something as basic as artists donating their time to teach 6 year olds how to paint.
*shrug* I'll toy with this idea some more until it turns out better.
Oh man, I LOVE that idea.
+1

Posted 4 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
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Daz wrote Ya know.. an idea kicked into my head the other day.
I wonder what it would take to get art to play a larger part in the school system. Art and music have been crippled by standardized testing and No Child Left Behind stuff.
It could be something as basic as artists donating their time to teach 6 year olds how to paint.
*shrug* I'll toy with this idea some more until it turns out better.
People interested in working on this might be able to work this in with some of the established mentoring programs...
EDIT: or somewhere like Fort Hayes.

Posted 4 years ago #
ChrisSunami
King-Lincoln District
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twistofreality wrote
Is there an official Mission Statement?
http://www.columbusunderground.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10810
This was my attempt at putting one together. I found out the hard way that it's tempting fate to ask an "Indie" group to agree on anything. But I'll probably resurrect the statement at some point in the near future as part of an initiative of my own.

Posted 4 years ago #