A Story of Generative Participation: NCAI Forum on Art, City, and Society

Published on February 17, 2012 by IAM

This April New City Arts Initiative will host their first ever forum this April. At this weekend gathering in Charlottesville, VA three questions will be addressed:

1. Why do the arts matter?

2. What is good art?

3. What is the responsibility of the artist.

We're excited to report that the cityfolk have gathered their resources and talent to bring this event to fruition. Maureen Lovett, the Executive Director, shares a few words below about the experience of bringing a first-class arts event to Charlottesville. 

Since last spring, we’ve been planning, coordinating, and juggling to host some sort of conference in Charlottesville. Our ideas and plans have changed, but initially, those plans didn’t even seem to matter because the idea of fundraising was so daunting.

As an organization, we already raise funds to cover our organizational and event costs. It was too late to apply for a grant. The thought of proposing a conference budget to our already extended givers seemed unwise. Meanwhile, we needed presenters on board in order to convince sponsors to give, but without a budget yet, it felt awkward to build a schedule.

Kickstarter crossed our mind, but it seemed like too much production to take on in addition to conference planning. We reached out to a few donors to give large gifts, but with time no longer on our side, we needed a different funding outlook.

Presenters had been gracious to us by waving fees, finding alternative ways to pay their way here, and reserving lodging with friends. A catering company came on board, accepted our meager food and beverage budget, and committed to underwriting the rest of the meal costs. We had three weeks before we need to open registration and no other significant funding. 

When anxiety started to set in (note: procrastination not advised), we just started asking. Everyone. I frantically called a friend to brainstorm a new network of donors. She helped me think of local people and businesses to ask, after offering a financial gift herself.  The same thing happened with the next person I called—a gift and some referrals. And the next. Soon, our board was coming up with creative ways to fund the project and asking local businesses to sponsor us around the $500-$1,000 level.

Three weeks later, our extended community had collectively agreed that this event was worthwhile by funding us in small-yet-significant increments. The true purpose of the conference is to continue building community around the arts by celebrating regional arts leaders who happen to also be top-notch presenters. Local businesses and patrons recognized the event for its potential, and came on as a part of the collective support necessary to see this event happen. If they couldn’t get out their checkbooks, people started giving coffee, beer, space, materials, and volunteerism.

We made our minimum underwriting goal of $15,000 (while decreasing our overall budget through in-kind donations) in less than three weeks through relationships, matching graciousness with graciousness, and a sincere community initiative.

We are happy to say that registration is now open: http://forum.newcityarts.org/