1st edition The -Run Space of the Future

mycellial network

The Artist-Run Space of the Future is a compendium of The Artist-Run resources and ephemera on artist-run culture, gathered by the Institute for Applied Aesthetics. Inside is a Space of the collection of resources, essays and ideas concerning the Future future of artist-run spaces and their evolving models of operation and connectivity.

Institute for Applied Aesthetics www.applied-aesthetics.org 1st edition The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Institute for Applied Aesthetics Contents organizational Models

Field Research

case study

ephemera

References Funding models The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Artist-Run Space (n.) Artist-run spaces fit all kinds of models. They are testing grounds and springboards to the commercial , intimate gatherings in apartments, and places for reading groups and shared meals. They are little pockets of activity that serve particular audiences at particular times, filling gaps and holes for all that the art-world fails to provide. Sometimes they are meant to be temporary, and other times they can grow to become professionalized institutions that a later generation of define themselves against.

InCUBATE. “Making-do: a pragmatist approach,” Artist-run Chicago Digest, Copyright threewalls/Green Lantern press, Chicago, IL: forthcoming October 2009 The Artist-Run Space of the Future

The artist-run space of the alternative modes of cultural he artist-run space of T future is many things: a production. A movement the future is a mushroom, space for people, a space that is best characterized as delicate yet deadly, and able for production, a space for patternless, while at the same to eat oil spills. At its core work and a space for living. It time supporting the idea that is a formidable network, provides for communities, both the artist-run space is part of a sometimes unseen and other artistic and situated, plausible larger culture of collectivity and times visible. A network, much alternatives to housing, collaboration – a way of making like the rhizomatic structure of cultural production and fiscal art that is built upon the idea of fungi, encompassing neither sustainability; a working working together. [1] a beginning nor an end, but of ideation, an affront always a middle from which it to the challenges that paralyze grows and overspills. the notion of a lifelong and community-centered practice. The artist-run space of the future will be found below Yet, the struggle of the our feet, in soil and nutrient artist-run space is a well- deposits, inhabiting cracks known story. Historically and places that otherwise marginalized and oftentimes prove inhabitable; vacant lots, ephemeral, the artist-run abandoned buildings and space is dependent on unlikely storefronts. At these discernibly difficult to measure junctures a fruiting body pierces and fluctuating variables the surface and spreads such as time, commitment spores across the landscape. and collective participation. These spores begin the vital As such, the commonplace break down of the surrounding depiction is often one of organic matter, the starting disorder and fringe culture, point of a vast cycle that serves yet the roots of the artist run as the catalyst for whole cultural space are noble: a response ecosystems. to the absence of space for The Artist-Run Space of the Future

[1] Bloom, Brett of Temporary [2] Gilles Deleuze, Félix [2] Gilles Deleuze, Félix Services. Groups and Spaces, 2005. Guattari. A Thousand Plateaus. Guattari. A Thousand Plateaus. www.groupsandspaces.net Capitalism and Schizophrenia. Capitalism and Schizophrenia. Translated and Foreword by Translated and Foreword by Brian Massumi. Minneapolis: Brian Massumi. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, University of Minnesota Press, 1987. 1987. The Artist-Run Space of the Future

And so our story about the define themselves against.” future of such spaces begins The artist-run space of the with a mushroom, the oldest In the future, these models future is also a school, a and largest organism on our and experiments will evolve classroom and a vehicle for planet, an ancient archetype and morph, recognizing a new learning; a space for kids, for for longevity and health and sense of continuity and time, seniors, for dogs and cats. perhaps the mascot of a responding in interesting ways A landscape saturated with new paradigm of networked to the current tendency toward diverse age discrepancies creative infrastructure. For the temporary and ephemeral. united under one roof. the artist run space of the In the future, the sign to look The space is a home, a future will embody many of the for will not be “Artist Space” comfortable home, legal with characteristics of a mushroom, hanging over a door, but the good indoor air quality. The and with this a new landscape space itself may be disguised building produces food and will emerge. A rhizomatic as a hybrid non-profit/for- sometimes talks to you. landscape that Deleuze and profit venture, a The artist-run space of the Guattari would be happy to or storefront, perhaps a three future is a community think enumerate on. [2] story home or warehouse, tank. It’s like a detective perhaps housed in a public agency where kids, adults, So what will the artist-run school, a community center, males and females merge. space of the future look adult-living center or maybe Microscopes, maps and like? Currently, “artist-run even a treehouse setback in measuring tapes are handed spaces fit all kinds of models. a public park. It may have no out. Issues are discussed and They are testing grounds official designation, perhaps solutions proposed; a place and springboards to the it encompasses aspects where things can be built, commercial art world, intimate of a community-based tested and implemented. gatherings in apartments, and organization, 501(c)3 non- places for reading groups profit, charitable organization, And what is unique about the and shared meals. They are non-governmental artist-run space of the future little pockets of activity that organization, limited liability is that actions and events will serve particular audiences corporation, company or take place in collaboration at particular times, filling venture. Perhaps nothing like with the situated community. gaps and holes for all that this at all. Not just discussed, with slick the art-world fails to provide. renderings displayed on walls Sometimes they are meant to The door to the space is and talked about at meetings, be temporary, and other times almost always open during the but rather in real time and in they can grow to become day. Maybe in fact there is no real space, the artist-run space professionalized institutions door but instead a series of of the future becomes the new that a later generation of artists windows with plants; maybe model for a creative consulting a skylight with a ladder or a agency that will consider and treehouse swing. No matter attend to the challenges down what form the door may take, the street and maybe some of it will open up into a space that the problems that will emerge will support the artists who live in the 22nd century. And from and work there, both fiscally this, the formation of ideas, and culturally, operating with of new policy and cultural a new model reminiscent of structures will extend beyond a workers cooperative or a the threshold of the front slightly altered notion of the door and into the surrounding L3C (low-profit limited liability neighborhood like the roots of company) or B-Corporation of a tree. yesteryear. The Artist-Run Space of the Future

middle from which many services or perhaps shared things disperse, the artist-run bank accounts and rotating space of the future follows a payment. similar model – a path through Despite the inevitable which many lines intersect and complications of money and extend from. the valuation of property, space and time - the real And it is precisely this, a objective of the artist-run medium through which things space of the future will be emerge rather than begin to create place where art, or end, that represents the production, life and the pursuit true value of the artist-run of currency meld together space of the future. For it is into one endeavor. Your life here that we can witness, endeavor, your community we can taste and touch a endeavor. Not the community tangible interface through you associate with by which art and life merge, not proxy, not the community of In in a neat little packet, not in a acquaintances you interact In a similar way to the renovated condominium, but in with on the daily, but YOUR rhizomatic roots of a a way that is messy and real, community – the people you mushroom growth, the reactive to its environment and trust, the people you care for, space soaks up surrounding dependent on the people and the people you love. resources like nutrients, water situations in relationship to this and sun, growing to support interface. the emergent undergrowth and the newly formed soil What do you need for the spreads from the mycorrhizal artist run space of the future? structures expanding beneath Sometimes you may need a your feet. In this sense, the storefront, sometimes just a artist-run space of the future shelf or a wall and sometimes becomes the anchor for a a desk and chair is sufficient. new kind of ecosystem, a Of course it’s always a cultural ecosystem, where question of capital, but what practice and theory merge isn’t? Currency shouldn’t be and become one. Not the kind something that stops you of “community anchor” that – in fact it should be your beckons the creative-class- motivating factor. The artist- bull-shit that Richard Florida run space of the future won’t espouses, but instead the have to think about “how artist-run space of the future to make money” or support becomes the focal point for the artists who live and work something autonomous and there, because that will be the specific to the community in formative reason for starting which it is found. The artist- the space. The artist-run run space of the future is the space of the future will make new model for “school”, for enough money to support “job center”, for “community the people that invest their center”, laboratory or time and energy in the space consulting agency. Just as – cooperative job sharing, a rhizome has no beginning consultation and design and no end, but merely a The Artist-Run Space of the Future

But take heed! What is the people down the street, required and what is needed sound like the local fauna and for the success of the artist- flora, it will taste like the food run space of the future is you’re growing inside. Through shared experience with your this process, a rhizome will community and meaningful form and you will understand dialogue about the space of completely that it was already your dreams, the project of there to begin with and it your dreams, the project for was just a matter of seeing it your life. For the artist-run clearly. space of the future will house this project and the project When is the future? It can be of your situated community. yesterday or today. Maybe The challenge: how to fit both tomorrow. But the artist-run the needs of yourself and the space of the future need not intentions of your community exist merely in your dreams into one space, a collaborative when you can wake up today and dynamic space. A possible and manifest it tomorrow. solution?: research your terrain through learning, reciprocal engagement and legitimate participation. The kind of research that is authentic and allows you to become the instigator of your artist-run space of the future simply by knowing and understanding what’s around you, the people that are around you.

We’re not talking about Wikipedia and internet searches, but rather real research and learning that makes you uncomfortable, that challenges your resilience and your understanding of self and other. Research about the people in your surrounding neighborhood and region, the landscape you inhabit and the many intersections therein. Because, the artist-run space of the future responds to its situated environment. That means you have to know what to respond to, for whom and why. And through this, the artist-run space of the future will take the form of your local landscape, it will look like The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future Artist-Run Models

Temporary Space, Non-Profit Hybrid Apartment Gallery A number of artist-run Many artist-run spaces are spaces begin as a gallery, started with an intention of performance or gathering being temporary. They often space but evolve overtime take the form of apartment into a non-profit 501(c)3 entity. galleries – an apartment space The reasons for this will vary that is converted into a gallery on location and the intentions for special performance, events of the space, but mostly have or even for years at a time. This to do with funding strategies, is often a response to real- strategic partnership and estate issues and the desire for mission of the space. intimacy, immediacy and the comfort of creating something Work Share live-work studios that financially in the space you also live in. support a shared “project space” or gallery. Work share Apartment galleries have a The concept of “shared artist long history in many places like models are also emerging as space” is nothing new, taking a recent trend. Work shares Austin, TX and Chicago among its root from many sources many others. allow people to rent out work like real-estate fluctuations space where shared resources in urban centers, the hippie like printers, wifi and even the culture of communal living and presence of people become the cooperative movements a part of a monthly rental fee of groups like Fluxus, the that is paid to reserve a spot Situationists and the Bauhaus at a large table or amalgam of among others. In recent years, cubicles. there has a been a trend among artist-run spaces to play with ideas of “shared- space” creating work-only or The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Workers Cooperative cooperative where members Residency pay dues that entitle them to a Wikipedia defines an vote on how the space is run Residency programs are often- artist cooperative as an and operated. times the central component autonomous to an artist-run space inviting organization, enterprise, or Gallery/Project artists to come and live in the association jointly-owned and Incubator space while they create work or democratically-controlled by its engage in the local community. members. Many cooperative Many times the intention is to Many artist-run spaces operate entities ranging from provide some kind of exchange, as a gallery attached to a supermarkets to restaurants the artist provides opportunities project space where an artist and bike-repair shops are to show new work, present a can work for several months popping up around the country. new project or engage both on a project and then present Often a cooperative is attached the space and the community his/her work to the community to some form of cultural around the space through an through the gallery space. production that is supported art-making or problem-solving by the cooperative members. process. Many galleries and collaborative spaces function as a workers LLC

Many artists decide to pool their resources together and form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to organize finances and establish an operating structure. The Artist-Run Space of the Future Alternative Funding Models

Sunday Soup for creative projects, and Stock InCUBATE, Chicago, IL implicitly critical as a way of Portland, OR generating conversation about Soup grants provide funding for the availability and distribution Stock is a monthly public dinner small to medium sized projects. of resources within the event and presentation series, One Sunday a month, we mainstream arts establishment. which funds small to medium- invite people to the storefront In an environment where sized artist projects. Hosted space we share for a meal governmental support for in various locations around based around soup. Guest experimental art practice is Portland, Oregon, diners pay chefs cook simple soups using minimal at best, and private a modest $10 for a dinner of local ingredients. The meal is support is dictated by the homemade soup and other sold for $10 per person. All values and priorities of granting local delicacies and the chance the income from that meal is foundations, innovative and to take part in deciding which given as a grant to support a potentially controversial work artist proposal will receive the creative project. We accept is compromised in order to evening’s proceeds. In other grant applications up until the fit within categories deemed words, the dinner’s profits day of the meal, everyone who “fundable.” With Sunday Soup, immediately become an artists purchases soup that day gets community participation in the grant, which is awarded one vote to determine who grant funding and selection according to the choice of receives the grant. The grants process is key. Applying the diners. Winning artists will are completely unrestricted for a grant is intentionally present their completed work at and will be awarded at the simple and un-bureaucratic the following Stock dinner. discretion of the jury of Sunday in order to encourage broad http://portlandstock.blogspot. Soup customers. The amount participation. This enables com/ of the grants are equal to InCUBATE to stimulate and the entire Soup Fund for that promote experimental, critical particular month. and imaginative practices that may not be eligible for formal Sunday Soup is explicitly funding. functional as a way of http://incubate-chicago.org/ generating independent funding sunday-soup/ The Artist-Run Space of the Future

The Tanda immigrants. These systems purchases that would otherwise exist in many cultures. The require formal loans, use as Tanda is a Mexican example of core principle behind the see money to start businesses, a system of collectively funding Tanda is that every week or or to pay for important large purchases or creating month everyone in the Tanda infrastructural improvements for rotating credit associations. It contributes a set amount of communities. originated in Puebla, Mexico money. Each time, that money around 1899, and is said to is all given to one person in the www.tandatanda.org/beta/ have been inspired by a similar Tanda. Each time it rotates. The system brought by Chinese Tanda is used to make large The Artist-Run Space of the Future

STEW for small projects and a free owned and controlled by its Baltimore, MD showing at Sugar City. Projects members, and operated for can be anything such as fine the purpose of promoting STEW is a new joint project art, media art, cooking, sewing, thrift, providing credit at spearheaded by the Baltimore producing an album, whatever reasonable rates, and providing Development Cooperative you can imagine using your other financial services to its and Red Emma’s Bookstore creativity and imagination. members. Coffeehouse. The basic idea The grants are completely In the United States, as of 2005 is simple: once a unrestricted and credit unions have 86 million month, we’ll be will be awarded at members, which is 43.47% hosting a dinner the discretion of the of the economically active at 2640, featuring attendees at Sunday population. U.S. credit unions high-end, locally- Soup. Applications are not-for-profit, cooperative, sourced, maximally are accepted on a tax-exempt organizations. organic and expertely rolling basis. At the prepared food end of each month, U.S. credit unions can be (including a vegan grant applications and chartered by either the federal option). The price for the multi- proposals are collected. The government (“federal credit course dinner will be $10, less amount of the grant is equal to unions”) or by a state. The than you’d pay for a sandwich the entire Soup Fund for that states of Delaware, South elsewhere. Interspersed month. Dakota, and Wyoming do not with the food courses will http://www.buffalosugarcity.org/ regulate credit unions at the be presentations of projects state level; in those states, and ongoing social justice FEAST a credit union must obtain struggles—and the profits Brooklyn, NY a federal charter to operate. from the dinner will go towards All federal credit unions and funding these iniatives. This is FEAST is a recurring public 95% of state-chartered credit an open-ended experiment— dinner designed to use unions have “share insurance” how can we use food to build community-driven financial (deposit insurance) of at least a culture of solidarity here in support to democratically fund $250,000 per member through Baltimore? How can we rethink new and emerging artmakers. the National Credit Union Share the way we fund our projects? Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). This Can we build urban democracy At each FEAST, participants deposit insurance is backed by over a collective dinner table? will pay a sliding-scale entrance the full faith and credit of the http://stewbaltimore.org/ fee for which they will receive United States government and supper and a ballot. Diners will is administered by the National Sugar City vote on a variety of proposed Credit Union Administration. As Buffalo, NY artist projects. At the end of December 2006, the NCUSIF of dinner, the artist whose had a higher insurance fund Sugar City will share proposal receives the most capital ratio than the fund for delicious soup and other votes will be awarded funds the Federal Deposit Insurance accompaniments. You will collected through the entrance Corporation (FDIC). U.S. credit generously donate $5 to the fee to produce the project. The unions also typically have higher future artist of the month. Then, work will then be presented equity capital ratios than U.S. while we eat and relax artists during the next FEAST. banks. will present their projects. http://feastinbklyn.org Sunday Soup goers will select Credit Union locator: an artist to receive the monthly Credit Unions http://www.creditunion.coop/ residency and all the donations cu_locator/quickfind.php collected. A credit union is a cooperative financial institution that is Soup grants provide funding The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Artist Run Credit equally to all members on a Side Community Federal League quarterly basis in addition to the Credit Union, a community rotating monthly distribution. development credit union with The Artist Run Credit League Besides the participation of a history of serving people (ARCL) is a rotating credit individual members, the league who are not using mainstream association for artist-run is also structured to accept financial institutions. They have spaces in Chicago, initiated by tax-deductible contributions a social change philosophy, InCUBATE. from outside donors wishing to believing that their alternative support the entire community financial resources can lead This is how it works: If there as a whole. to a more economically just are 8 participating groups or community. And if you live, spaces, then the cycle will last We hope that artist-run spaces, work, or worship in the Chicago 8 months and each group will by being mutually invested neighborhoods of Uptown, pay $20 dollars per month, in the fund itself, will have Edgewater, Lakeview, or which will equal $160 of credit. an interest in attending each Rogers Park, please consider Each month of the credit-cycle, other’s fundraisers and building becoming a member yourself. one ARCL member will be paid the community of participants artistruncreditleague.com the full amount of their individual outwards. The fund will accrue credit. The monthly schedule value the more the community Ourgoods of disbursements will be invests in its well being, established by a random draw meaning that it will become a OurGoods is a peer-to-peer at the commencement of each sustainable model based on the online network that facilitates credit-cycle. Members can group’s level of commitment to the barter of goods and swap out the months that they making it work. In essence, it services between artists. The will receive their credit based is an experimental community site matches barter partners, on their programming needs. bank in which artist-run spaces provides accountability tools, Members are also required can have a platform for sharing and offers technical assistance to throw one fundraiser per resources and discussing resources to help artists credit-cycle to raise at least two creative fundraising tools. complete their barters and their hundred dollars, the collective The ARCL in Chicago will projects successfully. sum of which is distributed be housed at the North OurGoods emerges in response to the current economic crisis. To some extent, have always existed in a recession economy. Independent artists in particular are experts at making do with very limited resources. As it becomes clear that even those limited resources will shrink in the coming years, OurGoods enables us to leverage what we already do well in order to create a support system for ourselves. http://ourgoods.org/ The Artist-Run Space of the Future Organizations

Creative Capital Creative Time Foundation Go to their site to support the Creative Time plows ahead Artist Museum Partnership Act Reminding us of their with their expansive public- 2009! beginnings as young upstarts art projects. Their “open http://www.wageforwork.com/ who funded artists in the door” program can lend a wage.html wake of the NEA culture wars hand to those navigating the in the ’90s, Creative Capital ins and outs of public-art NYFA has turned their decade of projects and grant writing. professional-development Allowing occasional corporate- The New York Foundation for programming and workshops sponsored projects, CT the Arts’ mission is to empower into an online database offsets drops in donor money, artists at critical stages in their available to all. while ensuring its freedom creative lives. Although this http://creative-capital.org/ to continue sponsoring is New York focused, many challenging, visionary projects. national opportunities can be Fractured Atlas http://www.creativetime.org/ found on their website: index.php http://www.nyfa.org Providing affordable health care, funding, and business guidance WAGE (Working for artists, FA supports their Artists and the Greater services through a profitable Economy) software business at the organization’s center. This This artists group advocates financial base, and their focus fair compensation for artists, on creating services that also who generally suffer from a generate income, ensure that “cultural discount” attributed they are relatively untethered to their services as their labor to the caprices of donors and is assumed to be “intrinsically outside interests. rewarding” and thus not http://www.fracturedatlas.org/ deserving of a proportional wage. The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future

leadership State Council in arts on the Arts education”. Each state typically has a The National state council for the arts that Council on disseminates federal and state the Arts funds for particular arts-related advises the organizations, projects and Chairman of programs. the National Endowment for the Department of Andy Warhol Arts, who also chairs the Cultural Affairs Foundation Council, on agency policies and programs. It reviews and Major cities usually have a The Warhol Initiative is an makes recommendations to the department of cultural affairs invitational program designed Chairman on applications for that support more localized to bolster the organizational grants, funding guidelines, and artist initiatives. capacity of small and mid-sized, leadership initiatives. artist-centered organizations http://www.nea.gov/grants/ across the country. Historically under-funded, these groups US Department serve as vital breeding grounds of Education for artistic experimentation, professional development The US Department of and community engagement Education allocates money for with art. The Initiative has arts education in K-12 schools, provided 61 participants with for non-profits and other cash grants of approximately entities. www.ed.gov $125,000, professional consulting services, and triennial conferences that bring the groups’ leaders together for networking, workshops and training sessions with non-profit management consultants. http://www.warholfoundation. org/grant/initiative.html Federal and State Grants

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing The Artist-Run Space of the Future Incorporation

Limited Liability and must file IRS Form 1065. if you’re worried only about Company (LLC) Individual partners would paperwork, Anthony Mancuso, receive a K-1 for their share of a lawyer who has written books A Limited Liability Company income or losses to be reported about LLCs, asks, “Why pay or a company with limited on that owner’s tax return a service when you can file liability is a flexible form of yourself for the cost of state business enterprise that blends Costs: filing fees?” elements of partnership and It costs about $700 with the corporate structures. The filing fee at $75, the certificate To do so, go to the website of primary characteristic an LLC of publication at $60, the the secretary of state for your shares with a corporation is articles of organization at state. It’s also noted that it is limited liability, and the primary $235 and publishing in 2 local wise to hire a lawyer to help you characteristic it shares with a newspapers at $360. You also weigh the pluses and minuses partnership is the availability of have to make an operating of forming an LLC – especially pass-through income taxation. agreement (how much the effect on your tax status It is often more flexible than a stock each person owns). – but the paperwork is fairly corporation and it is well-suited Incorporating in Delaware is easy to complete without for companies with a single easy and cheap. paying extra legal fees. In many owner. states you can file online. In LegalZoom charges $139, others, including Indiana, the For U.S. Federal income tax plus state filing fees (usually secretary of state’s site gives purposes, LLCs are treated by about $500), for a basic LLC clear directions for filing by mail. default as a pass-through entity. registration and $369 for a If there is only one member, “deluxe package,” which it is treated as a “disregarded includes express delivery entity” for tax purposes, and of your finished paperwork the owner reports the LLC’s within seven to ten business income on his or her own tax days. Some sites, such as return on Schedule C. For LLCs mycorporation.com, also clearly with multiple members, the explain the nature of an LLC LLC is treated as a partnership and its pros and cons. But The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Non-Profit internal affairs manual containing the rules and 4. Develop a A nonprofit organization procedures for holding budget and (abbreviated NPO, also not- meetings, electing accounting for-profit) is an organization directors and officers, system. that does not distribute its and dealing with other Creating a surplus funds to owners or corporate formalities. budget is often shareholders, but instead Bylaws must conform to one of the most uses them to help pursue its the legal requirements of challenging goals. Examples of NPOs the IRS and the state in tasks include charities (i.e. charitable which you register. when creating a nonprofit organizations), trade unions, organization. and public arts organizations. Filing Fees: To incorporate In the United States, nonprofit as a nonprofit, one must 5. File for 501(c)(3) status. organizations are formed pay fees to both the federal To apply for recognition of by incorporating in the government and also to any tax-exempt, public charity state in which they expect applicable state governments. status, obtain Form 1023 to do business. The act of Determining fees to the federal and Publication 557 from the incorporating creates a legal government depends on the local IRS office. The filing fee entity enabling the organization amount in gross receipts your depends upon the size of the to be treated as a corporation organization expects to earn. If organization’s budget. The under law and to enter into you anticipate your nonprofit will application is an important legal business dealings, form receive no more than $10,000 document, so it is advisable contracts, and own property as during each of its first four to seek the assistance of an any other individual or for-profit tax years, it will cost $300 to experienced attorney when corporation may do. There are process the 501(c)3 application. preparing it. Both of these different kinds of nonprofits, one If the amount will exceed documents can be downloaded of them being a 501(c)(3), which $10,000 during the first four from IRS web site. http://www. is exempt from income and tax years, the application fee irs.gov/charities/index.html (sometimes) property tax, and increases to $750. able to receive tax-deductible 6. Apply for a federal employer charitable contributions. The Process identification number. Regardless of whether or not Some Essentials 1. Formulate a mission you have employees, nonprofits statement. are required to obtain a federal Employer Identification Number Filing Articles of Incorporation (EIN) — also referred to as the - Many states aid the process 2. Form a Board of Directors: federal ID number. Ask for Form of filing Articles of Incorporation The minimum size of the board SS-4 when applying for your by providing sample or “ready- is typically three, EIN. to-use” forms. State law, not Federal law, governs what 3. File Articles of Incorporation. 7. File for state and local tax must appear in the Articles. Articles of Incorporation are exemption. In accordance The important aspects of the official statements of creation with state, county, and Articles will be a statement of of an organization filed with municipal law, you may apply your organization’s purpose and the appropriate state agency. for exemption from income, the names of those who are You can obtain the information sales, and property taxes. incorporating the nonprofit. you need to proceed with this step from your state Attorney Contact your state Department of Revenue, your county or Drafting Bylaws: Your General’s office or your state Secretary’s office. Draft bylaws. municipal Department of organization’s bylaws are Revenue, local Departments the rules, which govern the Bylaws are simply the “rules” of how the organization operates. of Revenue, and county or organization. They serve as an municipal clerk’s offices. The Artist-Run Space of the Future Cooperative members to review and adopt also and often have charitable the proposed bylaws. Elect a purposes. This type of nonprofit A cooperative is a business board of directors. organization may either donate organization owned and 11. Convene the first meeting funds and support to other operated by a group of of the board and elect officers. organizations, or provide the individuals for their mutual Assign responsibilities to sole source of funding for their benefit. A cooperative may implement the business plan. own charitable activities. also be defined as a business 12. Conduct a membership owned and controlled equally drive. The IRS website provides by the people who use its 13. Acquire capital and develop further explanation of user services or who work at it; a a loan application package. fees (http://www.irs.gov/ cooperative is a legal entity 14. Hire the manager. pub/irs-tege/rp2008_8.pdf owned and democratically 15. Acquire facilities. ). You may also contact IRS controlled by its members. 16. Begin operations. Customer Account Services at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ 1-877-829-5500 for additional How to start a Coop rbs/pub/cir7/cir7rpt.htm information http://www.ncga.coop/about/ 1. Invite leading potential coops/gettingstarted member-users to meet and http://www.ncba. discuss issues. Identify the coop/ economic need a cooperative might fill. L3C 2. Conduct an exploratory meeting with potential member- A low-profit limited users. If the group votes to liability company continue, select a steering (L3C) is a legal committee. form of business 3. Survey prospective members entity in the United to determine the potential use States that was of a cooperative. created to bridge 4. Discuss survey results at a the gap between second general meeting of all non-profit and potential members and vote on for-profit investing whether to proceed. by providing a structure that 5. Conduct a needs or use cost facilitates investments in socially analysis. beneficial, for-profit ventures 6. Discuss results of the cost while simplifying analysis at a third general compliance with meeting. Vote by secret ballot Internal Revenue on whether to proceed. Service rules for 7. Conduct a feasibility analysis “Program Related and develop a business plan. Investments”. 8. Present results of the http://www. feasibility analysis at the fourth bcorporation.net/ general meeting. If participants agree to proceed, decide Foundation whether to keep or change the steering committee members. A foundation is a 9. Prepare legal papers and legal categorization incorporate. of nonprofit 10. Call a meeting of charter organizations. members and all potential Foundations may The Artist-Run Space of the Future References

Art Space, LLC Group Work list of words used to describe Temporary Services group practices and a working Artspace’s mission is to create, list of hundreds of collectives foster, and preserve affordable Based on a pamphlet published from the last four decades space for artists and arts by Temporary Services in rounds out the publication. organizations. We pursue this 2002 titled Group Work: A mission through development Compilation of Quotes About projects, asset management Collaboration from a Variety activities, consulting services, of Sources and Practices, this and community-building publication provides a multitude activities that serve artists of perspectives on the theme and arts organizations of of Group Work by practitioners all disciplines, cultures, and of artistic group practice from economic circumstances. By 1960s to the present. The creating this space, Artspace publication presents interviews supports the continued with Canadian collective professional growth of artists General Idea; Chicago and enhances the cultural collective Haha; the dutch punk and economic vitality of the band The Ex; the Vienna-based surrounding community. WochenKlausur; Croatian http://www.artspace.org/about/ artist group What, How & for Whom (WHW); Funkadelic Quotes About album designer Pedro Bell; and Collaboration from a Political Art Documentation/ Distribution (PAD/D); along Variety of Sources and with essays on The Abortion Practices, Counseling Service of the by Temporary Services Chicago Women’s Liberation http://www.temporaryservices. Union (better known as Jane) org/group_quotes.pdf and the anarchist Guerilla street theater group The Diggers. A The Artist-Run Space of the Future Collectivism after been developing new forms Phonebook Modernism: The Art of collaboration with diverse Green Lantern Press and Three of Social Imagination audiences and communities. Wals Their projects have addressed after 1945 such issues as political conflict Phonebook is the essential Blake Stimson & Gregory in Northern Ireland, gang travel guide to artist-run Sholette, editors violence on Chicago’s West centers, small, not-for-profit

Side, and the problems of fringe galleries and other Analyzes collective artistic sex workers in Switzerland. exhibition and presentation practice from the Cold War to Provocative, accessible, and projects. This new edition the global present. engaging, this book, one of adds over 50 news spaces in The desire to speak in a the first full-length studies the United States and over 40 collective voice has long on the topic, situates these Canadian centers alongside fueled social imagination and socially conscious projects updated entries, periodical artistic production. Prior to historically, relates them to listings, a series of essays from the Second World War, artists key issues in contemporary across the country and some understood collectivization as art and art theory, and offers road-trip tips from the editors. an expression of the promise or a unique critical framework for failure of industrial and political understanding them. modernity envisioned as a decentre: concerning mass phenomenon. After the artist-run culture war, artists moved beyond the Self-organisation / Edited by Elaine Chang, Andrea old ideal of progress by tying Counter-economic Lalonde, Chris Lloyd, Steve the radicalism of their political strategies Loft, Jonathan Middleton, dreams to the free play of Will Bradley, Superflex, et al Daniel Roy, Haema Sivanesan differences. Organized around a series of case studies spanning The book Self-organisation / decentre is a book about artist- the globe from Europe, Japan, counter-economic strategies run culture that describes the and the United States to Africa, was initiated by the artists’ breadth and quality of artist- Cuba, and Mexico, Collectivism group Superflex, but it is initiated programs, projects and after Modernism covers such not about them. It is about events, the issues we face in renowned collectives as the the many approaches to the this milieu and how effectively Guerrilla Girls and the Yes Men, creation, dissemination and we deal with them, that aims to as well as lesser-known groups. maintenance of alternative both celebrate artist-run culture models for social and economic and demonstrate the vital role Conversation Pieces: organisation, and the practical artist-initiated activity plays in Community and and theoretical implications, the larger cultural scene. consequences and possibilities Communication in of these self-organised Modern Art structures. The counter- Grant Kester economic strategies presented here are alternatives to classical Some of the most innovative art capitalist economic organisation of the past decade has been that exploit, or have been created far outside conventional produced by, the existing global galleries and museums. In a economic system. parking garage in Oakland, California; on a pleasure Collective Creativity, boat on the Lake of Zurich in Edited by René Block, Angelika Switzerland; at a public market Nollerty in Chiang Mai, Thailand--artists operating at the intersection of art and cultural activism have The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future Field Research

In 2009 The Institute for Applied 4. Elsewhere Artist 10. SuperFRONT (NYC) Aesthetics conducted some Collaborative (Greensboro, NC) | Dance/Architecture research that fell into a file we | $ 30k/year | Non-Profit and collaborative residency | $1200/ call “Artiscycle”. The following Living Museum month rent are some important field notes from independent art spaces, 5. Phil Mechanic Studio 11. Blackstone Bicycle Works groups and organizations we’ve (Asheville, NC) | LLC and Non- and Backstory Café (Chicago) | profiled in the United States Profit Partnership with Blueridge Creative organizations housed that make us happy. You can Biofuels and Flood Gallery at the Experimental Station in find full reports at Chicago www.artiscycle.net 6. Everett Station Lofts (Portland) | Gallery and living Notworthy space $500/month subsidized Findings: by Artspace Projects, Inc.

1. Center for Urban Pedagogy 7. Wowhaus Residency (NYC) | 600k/year | Non-Profit (Occidental, CA) |$800-900/ 2. Hester Street Collaborative month negotiable with labor (NYC) | 750k/year | Non-Profit assistance partnership with Leroy Street Studio | Developing opensource 8. Third Root (NYC) | $4000/ civic engagement tool “Parks profit each month (avg.) for People” | Workers Cooperative | Alternative Health Clinic and 3. Space 1026 (Philadelphia) | Community Space $ 2500/month for rent | Artist Group that runs a Space 9. InCUBATE Chicago (Chicago) | Experimental Research Institute | $1000/month The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Artspace and performance space for community-building activities arts organizations. Artspace’s that serve artists and arts Above is an incomplete list mission is to create, foster, and organizations of all disciplines, of properties maintained and preserve affordable space for cultures, and economic subsidized by Artspace, LLC. artists and arts organizations. circumstances. Artspace develops a mix of We pursue this mission affordable live/work units, retail through development projects, http://www.artspace.org space, and administrative asset management activities, consulting services, and The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Mess Hall full artists residency Mess Hall, 2009 space and incubation Mess Hall is an experimental laboratory, Wowhaus is cultural center. It is a place an emergent model for where visual art, radical politics, bringing interdisciplinary creative urban planning, applied artists together through ecological design and other aesthetics, ecology and things intersect and inform realms in-between. each other. We host exhibitions, www.thewowhaus.com discussions, film screenings, brunchlucks (brunch + SEA Change potluck), workshops, concerts, Gallery campaigns, meetings (both social innovation co-created closed and open) and more. SEA Change’s mission is to by emerging artists Katherine www.messhall.org advocate for environmental Ball and Alec Neal, located at consciousness, animal Everett Station Lofts nonprofit Wowhaus rights, and social justice via artist community in the historic art exhibits and community Old Town/Chinatowndistrict of Wowhaus is located in events open to all walks downtown Portland, Oregon. Occidental, California. I had of life! As the future of the http://seachangegallery.org/ a chance to meet Scott earth hangs in the precarious Constable and Ene Osteraas balance of an unknown fate, SUPERFRONT Constable while visiting. They SEA Change seeks to unite are some of the warmest Portland’s most progressive SUPERFRONT is a new individuals Ive met on my travels agents of positive change to space for architectural thus far. Their intention for foster cross-pollination that experimentation, located space, ecology and community catalyzes an equal, peaceful, in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. is beautiful and as immense compassionate, and just SUPERFRONT’s mission is as fungal infrastructures future. By fusing evolutionary to support, promote, and produce radically contemporary architecture, while fostering creative interdisciplinary exchange. This mission is achieved through exhibits, publications, panels, and projects that, while focused on architecture, may also concern art, performance, media and social science. Since January 2008, SUPERFRONT has invited students, emerging architects, designers, visual artists, and performance SUPERFRONT, 2009 artists to engage in a public forum that raises awareness of contemporary architectural artists with community-based practice and theory. beneath or feet! Please initiatives, we will put the puzzle www.superfront.org check out Scott’s projects pieces together of how to via DeepCraft - beautiful and integrate nature and society. sincere designs with ecological consideration. Soon to be a SEA Change Gallery is a The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future fluent~collaborative thrift, and antiques, invites residency systems. experimental creators to http://elsewhereelsewhere.org/ Fluent~Collaborative is a utilize the immense collection speculative non-profit initiative of objects to established to increase pursue site- awareness of the ideas and specific material, issues that inform culture today conceptual, and the parallel developments and/or in contemporary visual art. technologically- Currently, Fluent~Collaborative based projects. has two projects: testsite, Elsewhere’s an experimental exhibition building—two space, and …might be storefronts on good, a contemporary art the ground e-journal. Fluent~Collaborative floor, a 14-room was cofounded by Regine boarding house Elsewhere Artist Collaborative Basha and Laurence Miller in on the second, 2003. So named to reflect a and warehouse flexible, adaptable nature and on the third—provides dynamic Phil Mechanic an openness to partnering architectures for the creation with other institutions and and installation of works. Studio individuals, Fluent has Artists live and work within Phil Mechanic Studios, an old singlehandedly supported two transforming installations; autobody shop and warehouse ongoing ventures, …might be these interactive environments owned by Jolene and Peter good and testsite, and has co- become platforms for re- Mechanic - an amalgam of sponsored a number of short- conceptualizing the theory and various ventures and artistic term projects over the years. practice of art-making as an exploration. Housed in the http://www.fluentcollab.org/ ongoing process of exchange in community. Experimenting Mechanic Studios complex is with museum-as-medium Blueridge Biofuels Cooperative, Elsewhere Artist artist studio spaces, education Collaborative within a store where nothing is for sale, Elsewhere offers facilities, a shop (and future an unparalleled framework restaurant) and Flood Gallery. It Elsewhere, set within a former for art practices, processes, was incredible to see such an thrift store housing a 58-year and productions outside the interdisciplinary mix of activity collection of American surplus, traditional gallery, museum, and and concentration on new ways of thinking and using space in a collaborative manner that was sincere and incredibly meaningful for the Asheville community. When I entered the space I met Melanie who gave me a fantastic tour spanning several floors and a basement section housing the biofuel operation. Housed in the Phil Mechanic Studios is the Flood Center, a non-profit contemporary art organization dedicated to bringing excellent, provocative art to Asheville from artists working around the Phil Mechanic Studios, 2009 world. www.philmechanicstudios.com The Artist-Run Space of the Future Nexus school bell, 2 times, a buzzer is is dozens of artists who‘ve pressed and up a flight of stairs had shows at the Space over In the Fishtown section of North one enters what appears to be the last 7 years. It is dozens Philly lies the home of Nexus one large collage. A converted of artists who come to our Gallery – a non-traditional 3 story tenement apartment events, and participate in gallery and art cooperative with building – the physical space our community. Space 1026 over 20 members. Talking with of 1026 is sliced into studios, is a community - a creative director Nick Cassway – he screen printing facilities, a retail community - not an institution. described Nexus as a space store and for artists who are frequently gallery. under-represented and want Very careful to do something “different” in a not to title gallery – typically having some themselves kind of social connotation or a collective connection. Members pay –Space dues and in exchange receive 1026 is a an opportunity to show in member the space every 2 years. driven What’s incredibly unique is collaborative their commitment to internal with artists education and training of circulating in members in arts administration, and out as putting up gallery shows, their work writing grants, conducting fluctuates Space 1026 outreach and making and evolves publications. hosting shows, residents and projects http://space1026.com/ Established in 1975, NEXUS/ of all kinds. Started in 1991 foundation’ is an artist-run, non- by 5 men, Jeffrey Wright, Max Basekamp profit, gallery space dedicated Lawrence, Ben Woodward, to supporting local emerging John Freeborn and Jeff Wiesner Basekamp is a non- and experimental artists the space hosts monthly commercial organization engaged in new art practices. shows, a fundraiser event and of people researching and NEXUS presents challenging, collaborates on larger projects co-developing interdisciplinary, innovative and compelling when circumstance holds true. self-organized art projects exhibitions of contemporary art with other individuals and that stimulate creative thought Space 1026 has been a 7 year groups in various authorship- and dialog among the public, experiment. It has developed blurring configurations for increasing awareness to the from a handful of founders to the past decade. We use our meanings and methods behind dozens of co-conspirators. Philadelphia space, along with today’s art. Together we are becoming temporary camps in other http://nexusphiladelphia.org/ Space 1026. Space 1026 locations, as a home base to is a common excitement invite domestic and international Space 1026 for making, producing and collaborative groups in a joint creating, not for some outside experiment to develop new Nestled between Philadelphia’s world of aficionados, but for models of relations within bustling center city and the each other, for our own kind. overlapping art communities. outskirts of Chinatown is Space Space 1026 is two floors of The goal is to continue 1026 – an amalgam of artist a building at 11th and Arch. proposing collaboration as activity, shared space and That‘s in Philadelphia. It is a a practical and theoretical alternative gallery infrastructure. network of dozens of artists stance, and to participate in its To enter – pull a rope on the who‘ve had studios at the evolution. street level that rings an old Space, past and present. It http://basekamp.com The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Studio for Urban www.studioforurbanprojects.org Santa Monica beach to the Los Projects Rock, Paper, Scissors Angeles County Museum of Art. We’re currently developing Founded in 2006 the Studio rock paper scissors collective a year long project (starting in for Urban Projects is an artist is a volunteer-run organization January 2010) exploring how collaborative that perceives that fosters creativity and visitors experience the Hammer art as a means of advancing collaboration in order to Museum. civic engagement and strengthen local communities furthering public dialogue. and encourage sustainable http://machineproject.com/ Our interdisciplinary and practices and alternative research-based projects models. We promote the ABC No Rio aim to provoke change by sharing of ideas, skills, re-framing our perceptions and resources through the ABC No Rio is a collectively-run center for art and activism. We are known internationally as a venue for oppositional culture. ABC No Rio was founded in 1980 by artists committed to political and social engagement and we retain these values to the present. We seek to facilitate cross- pollination between artists and activists. ABC No Rio is a place where people share resources and ideas to impact society, culture, and community. We believe that art and activism Rock, Paper, Scissors Collective should be for everyone, not just the professionals, experts, and of the city and physically cognoscenti. Our dream is a transforming elements of the celebration of art, craft, cadres of actively aware artists built environment. The Studio’s education, and performance. core members; including http://rpscollective.com/ Machine Project Alison Sant, Marina McDougall, Richard Johnson, and Kirstin Machine Project Bach blend backgrounds in new media, film, architecture Machine Project is a non- and curatorial practice. We profit community space in the also work collaboratively with Echo Park neighborhood of individuals and institutions in the Los Angeles investigating art, presentation of projects, public technology, natural history, programs, and publications. science, music, literature, and Engaging the broad themes food. In our storefront on North of ecology and urbanism, our Alvarado street we produce projects have taken the form events, workshops, and site- of audio tours, interactive specific installations using websites, exhibitions, and hands-on engagement to make architectural environments. rarefied knowledge accessible. Through these projects we Outside of the storefront, we reflect upon the cultural operate as a loose confederacy dynamics that shape our urban of artists producing shows landscapes. at locations ranging from the The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future Ephemera

Artists Run Chicago venues have transformed of this exhibition include storefronts, sheds, apartments, genealogies of the Calgary- Artists Run Chicago is an lofts, industrial spaces, based W.O.R.K.S. collective; exhibition showcasing the garages and roving spaces the cultural journalism activisms energy and audacity of some of into contemporary art galleries of Centerfold/Fuse magazine; the most noteworthy artist-run testing the notion of exhibition early 1980s music videos; an spaces that have influenced while complicating the definition unseen interview with Green the Chicago contemporary art of art. Party advocate, artist, Joseph scene over the past decade. http://www.hydeparkart. Beuys; publishing prototypes in Chicago has long been org/exhibitions/2009/05/artists_ audio art and video; curatorial known for cultivating a strong run_chicago.php contributions to the start up entrepreneurial/Do-It-Yourself of Canadian performance spirit in business and the arts. THEN + THEN and video festivals; and new The participating artist-run AGAIN re-editioned and CDs from the venues have transformed Practices within an artist-run indie Voicespondence label storefronts, sheds, apartments, culture 1969-2005 including work from De Dub lofts, industrial warehouses, Artspace, Toronto - June 2007 Poets, The Government, the garages and roving spaces Gayap Rhythm Drummers, into contemporary art galleries Then + Then Again is an Clive Robertson and a new testing the notion of “exhibition” archival retrospective exhibition 2007 release, H5N1, from while complicating the definition curated by Clive Robertson. Nerve Theory. The premise of art. Coinciding with the Then + Then Again provides a of Then + Then Again as a Hyde Park Art Center’s 70th unique opportunity to sample touring exhibition is that it anniversary, Artists Run and make connections between be accessible both within Chicago reconnects the Art artist collectives networking, and outside of the exhibition Center to its beginnings as an the rights and responsibilities sites, depending upon the artist-run space by showcasing that have shaped an artist- administrative capacity of each spaces that continue the run culture as well as the exhibition site. This means legacy. potential for organizational that visitors can borrow the collaborations both within and displayed materials for home The participating artist-run outside of Canada. Highlights viewing and access audio archive files for listening. The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Hyde Park Art Center

Clive Robertson, Artspace, Toronto The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future Case Study: Splinter and Logs

Splinters and tent for a month) 3 months Logs, LLC - Moving somewhere with less expensive real estate MONTHLY MAINTENANCE: Splinters and Logs is an LLC 20 hrs that was formed by Christine Risks taking out the trash- 4 hrs, Wang, Caroline Woolard and cleaning the toilets- 1 hr many others in the summer of Broker: going to the bank- 3 hrs, 2008. It is located in Bushwick, “It’s expensive to be poor” doing accounting- 6hrs, Brooklyn on Morgan and buying supplies- 2 hrs, Metropolitan Avenue. Ms. We’ve raised more money than managing tenants- 4 hrs Woolard presented some of ever before in our lives, the details of this process to a but we are still paying the class at Cooper Union. Here are owner to improve his property some abridged notes: think about BUYING COOPERATIVELY from the Preliminary start... Research Business Alongside looking for conventional spaces in NYC we $8,000 a month researched and planned: $24,000 for first, last, security $15,000 for materials/some - Buying a wooden boat and labor putting it on a lot - Living on a houseboat (no START UP: $47,000 min slips left in NYC) for us: $30K loan and $12K - Living in a car (did it for a from us month, can’t stand up) $5K spent from rental income/ - Living on a roof (did it a few deposits! times- urban camping) labor could be $50K - Living in a backyard (did it in a 5 people working 80 hrs/wk for The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future Monthly Bills help it.

State Farm Insurance- $60 Pay for a lawyer! Action Dumpster- $145 $275/hr Verizon Phone/Internet- $180 Gas- $300-500 Make Sublet agreements KeySpan Electric- $200-700 Basic supplies- $50 Forming an Loan repayment- $1060 LLC in NYC:

TOTAL: $1,995-$2,695 $700+ Website: www.dos.state.ny.us + Rent TOTAL: $9,995-10,695 (Rentable sq ft (6,000?) x $2 ft External: Filing Fee: $75 = 12,000?) Certificate of Publication: $60 Articles of Organization: $235 Yearly Bills/costs Publishing in Newspapers: $360 P O Box- $72 Internal: Promisary Note (for ConEd/National Grid- $910 loan), Operating Agreement - Basics- set up LLC, P.O. box/electric/gas/internet Ready to Jump? Why build out? immediately! 1. Research the building site- - Start with an accountant- ex: find out about lead, loft board Make sure everyone answers don’t hide cash when you are status, incentives etc. this out loud, in order of priority in debt 2. Do all the paperwork - To make art work - Use a Lawyer! ex: LLC 3. Consider all kinds of - To make a community member (not personally financing - To Learn how to run a responsible) vs. agent 4. Consider your organizational business - Rent space to location scouts structure carefully - To stop moving each year for events/shoots to make $ - To make a profit? ...this is a group divider www.splintersandlogs.com How do it differently (what we’ve changed OR will do in 8 years) - Scale to Benefit ratio - joint stock? (for group cohesion- who invests time/$ initially vs. “outsiders”) Other Considerations

- BUY cooperatively STOP Lease gentrification - Start with double the $ Read it over again the moment - Non-profit in the future? Build before you sign! to code! They changed it in the last - Know/like your landlord minute without telling us. - Know the current business Don’t use a broker if you can improvement incentives The Artist-Run Space of the Future The Artist-Run Space of the Future

Groups spaces, and independently run to facilitate dialogue about and Spaces artist spaces and centres. The community engagement, site serves as an opensource collaborative practices and Groups and Spaces is an online portal for artists, educators provide educational resources platform that gathers together and citizens to learn more for new audiences. information on people making about these working methods art in groups and collaborative and connect with resources in situations, groups that run art their area. The platform aims