In the past 6 months, we have been struggling over our lease renewal with the building owner of 16 Beaver Street. We are doing our best to resolve this situation directly and through legal channels. However, the inability to clarify our status in the space has prevented us from bringing in a new partner to share the 4th floor with us, thus denying us a significant portion of our monthly rent for the space. And thus, since September have been accruing debt.
Unable to pay the full rent, without clarifying our status, we have sought the help of pro-bono attorneys. After a recent hearing, the situation is both more clear and more urgent: our current understanding is that we will not be forced out of the space if we pay the full rent up to April. In order to do so, we have to make up the accrued debt. We would like to raise enough to cover our outstanding rent obligation and also have some funds in reserve to help support us over the next several months as we reorganize ourselves and attempt to expand the horizon for how a political space in Lower Manhattan can function today.
Our target is $30,000, and we have until our next court date on April 13 to meet it. This may seem like a lot, but if everyone on this list donated what they can, we could quickly surpass it. From $10 to $1000, whatever you can give, we will be very appreciative.
We did not want to ask for money, as other contributions of energy and participation from many on this list have sustained 16Beaver as a project for so long. It has been important for us to make all events free and open to the public, and this can not change. But the sum seems attainable and the space and our program is important to too many people for us not to try something distributed and collective.
We are approaching our mailing list first, because it seems the most direct, interesting and ethical way to raise this money. That is, ask for smaller contributions from a broad network of friends and supporters. Although we are not a registered 501(c)3 non-profit and do not plan to become one, we felt given this outreach for money, we needed to have clear accounting and a basic infrastructure for accepting support.
We are now fiscally sponsored through Fractured Atlas. You can contribute directly by going online:
Of course, all contributions are tax-deductible (if this helps anyone). Fractured Atlas receives 6% from the donations, which is fair, for the help they are providing us.
We're asking for two things: please support us financially if you can (international donations are possible, if you are wondering) and please send to people who might be invested in the continued and ongoing existence of 16Beaver. If you can help us identify and approach individuals or foundations who might also be interested in additional assistance please write to us at: <donations AT 16beavergroup DOT org>
We know that while this may be a familiar narrative, the news of our situation may be upsetting to you (it is to us). We hope 16Beaver Group as a public and ongoing framework for collective conversations and inquiry will go on regardless, but we need your support in this period.
We have two tasks in front of us: remaining in our space and implementing our plan for sustaining it. We still would like to base our sustenance on sharing space with others, but we would like to house a more open and shared daytime working space that could support groups who have more affinity with us. Ideally, we would like to set up a day-time working space, with a base composed of small groups who need office space, and individual artists and activists who would like to share a communal work environment. We welcome queries from anyone who might want to join such an undertaking.
We plan to continue doing the important work we've been doing and we need your support and involvement over the next few weeks to make this possible.
Please contact us if you have any further questions at the email address provided in this letter.
___________________________________________________ 3. How you can you help
3.1 by monetary contribution online through Fractured Atlas who is now fiscally sponsoring us.
3.2 If you know a group / individuals who would like to share a space and has an affinity to what we are doing please direct them to us and this email <space AT 16beavergroup DOT org>
3.3 If you are a part of or know an organization who may want to offer us financial assistance, or other forms of help contact us to <donations AT 16beavergroup DOT org>
hanare mediaが密かに熱い/ hanare media is burning
2010.03.20
Mary Taylorによる記事を2つアップしました。英語は。。。となる人も辞書を片手に頑張ってみてください。よい記事です。hanare mediaの紹介を今までしたことがなかった。まとまりのない執筆陣の人たちが、書きたいことを自分のペースで書く、ルールはそれだけ。書きたいことを書きたい時に、とはいいつつ、書いている人がお互いにやんわり影響を与え/受け合っています。最近も、誰かが言い出したわけではないけど、なんとなしにアート、エステティック(aesthetic)についての記事が多かったり、ちょっと前はグラフィティ、ストリートアート、ヒップホップ関連だったりと。 新しい執筆者を増やして、特集記事も組んで、ビデオコラムも始めて、外国語執筆陣も増やして。。。と言い出したらきりがないほど、沢山したいことがあるので、徐々に実現していきます。
**Miyashita Park Artist in Residence** PARK IS OURS ! -Our actions make park.- 2010. March 15th - 17th
Now, Shibuya-ku Ward (Tokyo) and NIKE try to start converting Miyashita Park into "NIKE Park". For this construction, they decided the half of park will be sealed off with the fences on March 16th and 17th. What are they talking about? We have never accepted NIKE use the park for their business in the park, public area! Miyashita Park is not only for NIKE's consumers, but OURS! Thereupon, various artists are going to stay at Miyashita Park and execute their works (= Artist in Residence, A・I・R) from this spring. Through the many projects such as exhibition, symposium, music performance, movie show, workshop and cafe, we will think about what Living, Playing, Life, Whereabouts, Exclusion, Discrimination, Violence etc. are, and we do PARK.