Warehouse Council Proposal – Invitation 2 JOIN Oakland Artists Inc.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

What: establish communications and shared planning between warehouses/collectives/venues in West Oakland

Why: collectively we can have a role in promoting URBAN RENEWAL as opposed to GENTRIFICATION with regards to live/work development

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Intro:

Most of you know me, some of you may not. As an introduction, my name is Peter Spannagle and I am an artist and cooperative curator of an 8000 sq ft historic live/work warehouse in West Oakland. I (along with other leaders in the live/work arts community) helped form Oakland Artists Inc in 2003 to promote and expand community-based and sustainable live/work arts development. I believe that warehouses are significant centers of cultural and social activity, that the work we do is a form of URBAN RENEWAL which is highly relevant. I am interested in forming a coalition of warehouses as the core of an organization to promote the arts and improve our neighborhoods without displacing our neighbors.

We'd like to interface w/other emerging groups and coalitions to participate in discussions on Oakland as a Model City.

OAI one of many organizations with a vision for developing the arts in Oakland. We want to be (or participate in forming) a consensus-based umbrella organization through which collectives and groups can form and interact. We are currently reforming the Board and restructuring the organization in order to more effectively address issues of common concern for artists and warehouses in Oakland. I am writing to request your input and participation in this process.

SCHEUDLE NEXT OPEN MEETING: June ?? TO INTERVIEW 4 BOARD SEATS/REVISE MISSION STMT, PLAN 4 PROGRAMS

Propose to organize ourselves to interface with other emerging community groups (see list and members below) and work w/Oakland Art Murmur.

ABCo
Black Futurist Movement
Breathespace
City Slicker Farms
Ghost Town Gallery
LaunchPad
Lobot
Oaklandish
SOFA: South of Fruitvale Artists
SOL
Spaz/Cooperative Roots
Vulcan Studios
[who else should be invited?]

Let's schedule a meeting to discuss:

-ARTS & URBAN RESTORATION PETITION: current draft

which we would like to endorse/include in the OPEN 2006 Platform

-shared calendaring/multi-events pass

-plan for summer activities: Urban Renewal and Public Art, collaborate with: CitySlicker Farms, muralist teams (Dan Fontes), musicians & performers for murals, gardens, concerts

-synthesis/unified front: archive of past events/activities, quanitification of capabilities and needs --> resources

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INITIAL PROPOSALS (which do you support?):

I. WAREHOUSE COUNCIL: One active and available contact person from each warehouse/venue/collective to communicate about regular events and in case of emergency. (Available primarily via email and cell, infrequently attend meetings). Generate a strategy for events/shows and plan activities for summer 2006 (OPEN WAREHOUSES? CONCERTS in the PARKS? URBAN RENEWAL: MURALS & GARDENS)

II. TECHNOLOGY TEAM for West Oakland Map, Calendar, News & Events: seeking skilled techies to develop online tools for community projects, including: shared calendar, newsletter w/events & opportunities, interactive opensource map w/local business directory and community resources. Also, to provide small business consulting services: open source and software development, networking, databases, web/graphic/document design, Mac/PC troubleshooting/tech support, training.

III. FORM ADDITIONAL COLLECTIVES:

MEDIA COLLECTIVE: teams of local photographers, videographers and writers to work on stories and pursue freelance/publication opportunities

LABOR COLLECTIVE: day jobs for artists - $20/hr for moving and hauling jobs

URBAN RENEWAL: MURALS, GARDENS, ORGANIC FARMS/FOOD

COUNCIL 4 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: work in coalition with other organizations, small businesses, etc to promote our vision for Oakland.

FUNDRAISING WORKING GROUP: people to assist with grant research and preparation, private fundraising campaigns and more

INTL PROGRAMS FOR FRANCE & VENEZUELA: visit & work w/other cooperatives

DOCUMENTARY FILM:

CULTUAL EXCHANGE: INTL ART SHOWS, MURALS, CONCERTS/TOURS

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER & FAIR TRADE PROJECTS

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EMERGING GROUPS:

Support Oakland Artists:
Ron Dellums: PLEASE SEE UPCOMING MEETING (END OF EMAIL) FOR MAY 30th MTG 6-8:30 (@ Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge
341- 13th Street)

Ella Baker Center (Solutions Salon)

The Organic City

ArtVote

Oakland Art Murmur

South of Fruitvale Artists

OPEN 2006