Join us!
RE-INVESTING THE POWER OF PLACE
through the arts and social entrepreneurship
DR. ELIZABETH FALCONER
2010
I. COVER SHEET
Organization name: aArtCo International (aka Windhorse Studios)
Tax Exempt Status: 501C3 through: State of the World Forum
Year organization was founded: 1995 Date of application: 2010
Address: 6 Harvey Road, Madrid New Mexico 87010 USA
Telephone number: 505. 440. 7602 Fax: lizfalconer@earthlink.net
Director: Dr. Elizabeth Falconer Contact person: same
Grant request: $60,000_
Period grant will cover: 5/2010- 5/2012 (12 mo.)
Type of request: Administration, support, travel and materials for 4 artists.
Project title: aArtCo International: Arts at Sacred Sites
Total project budget: $248,000
Starting date of fiscal year: June 1, 2010
Windhorse Studios was started in 1995 as a 501C3 with the mission of teaching creativity and providing the space and guidelines for people from every background to be supported in learning, expressing themselves, cherishing their own uniqueness. Windhorse Studios is founded on the idea that a peaceful life is a journey not of resolving paradoxes, but riding the center line of paradox with creativity (joy) and compassion. From the centerline one understands all sides and gains the wisdom not of compromise but of creative, workable community. Windhorse has sponsored many projects over the years such as a progressive, on site job training program; a retreat center for executive refreshment and creativity training; a travel program for artists incorporating ‘deep dialogue’; creating art show and sales spaces in vacant spaces in New Mexico.
Grant request summary: aArtCo (Windhorse ) proposes to take 1-3 professional artists of various disciplines to live and work at Endangered World Heritage sites. Working with artists from the Site community they will create individual and collaborative projects that are saleable art work(s) related to the Site. These works will be shown and sold in major international cities, with the proceeds donated to the World Heritage Endangered Sites for site preservation efforts.
While at the Site we will work with artists and interested locals to recall local pride in the Site, to see it afresh and support the importance of the history of the site to the richness of their lives; we will find creative ways to incorporate the historical Site into needed changes and learn local creative ways to negotiate change. “The Arts” has the power to raise consciousness and money; it has the power to transform negative energy into positive creative force.
While at the Site we will establish (or enhance whatever is on site) a local arts gallery – a small business to be run by locals. This gallery will provide local site related arts work to tourists and eventually to an international community. It will provide a gathering place for artists, and will continue to investigate the idea of incorporating the emotional/social aspects of historical Site into the contemporary culture. It will eventually will provide products to other such Site galleries around the world.
II. NARRATIVE
Introduction
Windhorse comes from the Shambala tradition as an idea of a way of being in the world. It teaches that riding the center line of paradox(es) in life is not a compromise or retreat, but a process of creative interweaving of intentions. Life does not have to be black and white, right and wrong, me or you but can be ‘us’ going forward as us – not giving up what we cherish but examining what it is that we need/want and what the other needs/wants and interweaving these strands to create something that is joy-filled for all ‘sides’.
Art work that is created specifically with the intention of reaching the heart and soul of others can sway opinion and political movement. Continuously investigating the colors, shapes, proportions, etc. that reach the heart (before the head) in various cultures is in itself a valid pursuit. If that pursuit is focused on raising monies internationally to benefit a Site not only do the local artists benefit, but the Site and the political climate of the Site benefits from the ongoing creative, life empowering effort.
Background of Organization:
Windhorse Studios was created in 1990 by Dr. Falconer as a repository for all of the creative projects that seemed to be emerging alongside traditional growth enterprises. It is a forum for discussion and implementation of projects that are affirming, educational and approachable for local community members. It has since incorporated, (or been incorporated by) the “social entrepreneurship” concept.
For example, in 1993 while the State University battled with the local schools for control of the education dollars/numbers/ students/ teachers/ classroom space etc. Windhorse started an entertaining, approachable ‘return to education’ program for locally unemployed and under- employed on the Olympic Peninsula. This program created jobs for teachers and professionals in vacant spaces in the town and offered creative, fun(ny) and semi-serious (when we could find good teachers) classes for locals. The aim was to familiarize very poor, angry and depressed people with education and the power of local, creative, inclusive solutions to local problems. The project dovetailed with the State of Washington’s unique program for job training which trained people on site, at work, and gave them a certificate of completion / a skills certificate which they could use as ‘education’ throughout the State of Washington to advance in their chosen field.
Grant Request:
The Project takes 3 strands of needs and weaves them into a unique, artistically focused enterprise. The three strands we will address in this first attempt are:
1. Preservation of World Heritage sites by providing focus, renewed interest, money and creative solutions to local interests at the sites. For more succinct information on this topic see www.heritagelink.org.uk/docs/power.pdf for the background of the importance and methodologies for preservation of historical components anywhere in the world.
2. Encouragement of local arts enterprise as a way of examining and preserving local values in the community. See ideas in the field of community development through the arts for this component.
3. Creating peaceful, powerful dialogue through the use of “Deep Dialogue” in teaching, learning and artistic experiences at the Site. See astro.temple.edu/~dialogue/ for more information on this unique approach to communication across cultures. See also globaldialogue.com/sevenstages.htm.
4. Use of artwork(s) as method of
a. Creative exploration of the feelings, appreciation - joys and disappointments surrounding development/change. See work by Shaun McNiff for works on the healing/ transformative qualities of artwork making. See Jose Arguelles’ writings for more information on the power of artwork to re-vision the world.
b. Healing/ transformative tools for communities – a visual, pre-verbal deep dialogue along with methods for negotiating change peacefully.
c. Creating ‘products’ to sell:
i. The professional artists who participate will create work for shows in major international cities that will provide a wonderful depiction of the Site to those who love the area and all of the monies raised will go to the local site.
ii. At each site we will create small art centers as self -sufficient fundraising/ enterprises for local artists. Eventually these will connect with other centers around the world to buy and sell merchandise, share ideas and raise money for the artists, operators and the historical site
iii. III. ATTACHMENTS / REQUIREMENTS
Evaluation
The evaluation of the success of this project rests with the four components to be addressed;
1. Preservation of World Heritage endangered sites by providing focus, renewed interest, money and creative solutions to local interests at the sites
The success of this component would be measured by the amount of monies returned to the site or grant agency within two years of the issuance of the grant.
2. Encouragement of local enterprise as a way of examining and preserving local values in the community.
The success of this component will be measured by the establishment of a local ‘gallery’ showcasing artworks by locals, visitors and donors regarding the sacredness and importance of the site. This ‘gallery’ space, of and for locals, visitors and donors where education, conversation, creation and interaction with other potential galleries can take place.
3. Creating peaceful, powerful dialogue through the use of “Deep Dialogue” in teaching, learning and artistic experiences at the Site.
The success of this component will be measured by the successful negotiation of a gallery space to continue to use art as development for the Site community.
4. Creation of artwork(s) as methods of
a. Continuing exploration of the feelings, appreciation - joys and disappointments surrounding development/change.
b. Healing/ transformative tools for communities – a visual, pre-verbal deep dialogue that seeks to re-connect peoples with places.
c. Creating images of Heritage/ sacred sites that speak of their power, beauty and importance to all of mankind.
c. Creating artworks by professional artists from around the world that can be shown in international galleries and raise monies for the Sites that they depict.
The success of this component will be measured by the reaction of locals and visitors to the artworks created in, on and about the site. The reaction will be gauged by questionnaires, artwork ‘contests’ and ‘ranking’ as well as brief interviews with people about why they like or dislike the artworks. The success of the professional artists will be measured by sales of their works.
A. Organizational Structure / Administration
The organization name will be Windhorse LLC and it is under the umbrella of State of the World Forum as a 501C3.
The Director is Dr. Elizabeth Falconer.
In 2010 we are asking for funds torun a pilot project in Nepal at one of any number of endangered sites.
In 2011 we are asking for funds for 1-3 artists on Site. Dr. Falconer will administer the program and all of the financial details will be managed by an accountant.
B. Finances
4. Budget 2010-2011
PROPOSED BUDGET worksheet
Budget for the period:___________ to _____________
EXPENSES INCOME
Item amount FT/PT Source Amount
Salaries & wages $_____ _____ Gov. grants & $______
(breakdown by individual _____ _____ contracts
position and indicate _____ _____ Foundations $ ______
full or part time) _____ _____ Corporations $ ______
_____ _____ Religious Inst. $ ______
______ _____ Other campaigns $ ______
Benefits and taxes $___________________
Consultants & professional fees: $__________
Travel $____________ Individual contrib. $ ______
Equipment $____________ Fundrsng event $ ______
Supplies $____________ & products $ ______
Training $____________ Membrshp income $ ______
Printing/copy $ ____________ In-Kind support $ ______
Telephone/ fax $ ____________ Other (specify) $ ______
Postage / delivery $ ____________
Rent & Utilities $ ____________ _______________ $ ______
In-Kind expense $ ____________ _______________ $ _______
Other (specify) $ ____________ _______________ $ _______
TOTAL EXPENSE $_____________ TOTAL INCOME $ _______
BALANCE $ _______
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