We had a proposal at the last delegates meeting to fiscally
sponsor an art exhibition by 1st They Came for the Homeless
(FTCFH) - see below. We were generally in favor but needed more
info. I spoke with Marcia, one of the organizers, today and got
more details. Please send feedback about the proposal in light of
this additional info.
The funds will be used specifically to cover unhoused artists'
production costs (paints, printing, paper, jewelry making
supplies, etc) and any excess will be donated to something to
support a camp or other support for houseless folks.
They don't need fiscal sponsorship for tax deductability. They
need a safe account where the money can be sent that doesn't show
up in any individual's bank account. They are happy to give 10% to
the Omni because they like us :)
How it might work:
We provide donation links that FTCFH can publicize. On a weekly
basis organizers would present us with a list of artists who were
approved for a grant and the amount. We would give one of the
organizers the amount in cash to distribute to the artists and
have them sign to verify the amount they received.
Thanks!
Laura
Homeless Art Exhibition Fiscal Agent Request
Creativity Unhoused
First They Came for the Homeless requests that the Omni Commons acts as our fiscal agent for the production of an art show scheduled to take place from March 9 through May 24, 2019 at Berkeley’s Expressions Gallery. Mike Zint, Sarah Menefee, Marcia Poole and John Paulin will be the contact people for First They Came for the Homeless and Rinna Flohr will be the contact person for Expressions Gallery. We are asking the Omni Commons to act in this capacity because we value the high integrity that characterizes your organization and its mission. We propose that 10% of all donations collected for the show be given to the Omni Commons as payment from us for your services.
First They Came for the Homeless and the Expressions Gallery are proud to present a show that deals with multiple aspects of homelessness within our communities on March 9, 2019. The main focus of the art will be on the efforts of homeless people to survive within urban environments and, especially, on the benefits created by the communities that develop within and around homeless encampments and shelters, as well as among people sleeping in the rough. The exhibition will explore the differing ways utilized by individuals in these communities to insure safety, solidarity, camaraderie, and other positive aspects of the communal experience. The show will also address the problems faced by the homeless on a daily basis.
The participating artists, homeless and housed, will be drawn from members of our community who have either experienced homelessness directly or have been touched by the plight of the homeless. This event will be the first opportunity for some of the participating homeless artists to display and sell their work in a professional gallery and will incorporate art in many different media, including painting, photography, printmaking, digital art, installation art, videos, sculpture, crafts, jewelry, clothing, and ceramics.
The participation of homeless artists will be facilitated through their collaboration with First They Came for the Homeless (which will provide access to materials as well as assistance in the presentation and submission of their work) and Expressions Gallery. Funds and materials for the effort will be secured through donations.
In 2014 Expressions Gallery presented one of the very first art shows to deal with Homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area. The work of homeless and housed artists was exhibited without differentiation by housing status. The event was very informative, and many who attended the show stated they were moved to become more active in matters of social justice. The show was covered favorably by a number of local print, television, and radio media.
The Creativity Unhoused exhibit will run from March 9th, 2019 – May 24th, 2019 at Expressions Gallery, located at 2035 Ashby Ave., Berkeley, CA. Phone # 510-644-4930. The gallery, one block from the Ashby BART station, is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, Noon - 5 PM and Sundays from Noon - 3 PM. The Opening Reception will be held at Expressions Gallery on Saturday evening, March 9th, from 6-8 PM and will feature local participating artists, musicians, and refreshments. The reception is free to the public.
Contact: