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Topic: What are you doing today?
Replies: 3,790 Pages: 253 Last Post: Jan 27, 2007 2:03 AM by: Ray Rolfe

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Replies: 3,790 Pages: 253 [ Previous \| 1 ... 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 \| Next ]

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Feb 29, 2004 6:54 AM

yeah, what kind of non profit are you starting?

L, Going to India again! (haven't heard that flaming lips song yet, have you?)
So only a few more days and you're off? Have the best time of your life you know. Blessed are travelers.
Very warm wishes for a sucessfull journey Lauren.

Here is some comedy about Minnesota winter to send you off with a smile.

Ray

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Feb 29, 2004 7:02 AM

01-lewis_black-minnesota_winters-apc.mp3 (882.0 K)

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Feb 29, 2004 7:15 AM

	Shuttle to the Capital.JPG (49.9 K)
	looking back.JPG (61.6 K)
	Good band.JPG (47.0 K)
	We got Everyone in FF t#2FF.JPG (55.6 K)
	Storming the Capital.JPG (54.5 K)

And here are those pix from the Capital I was going to post, but then I fell asleep.

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Feb 29, 2004 7:17 AM

continued

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Feb 29, 2004 7:22 AM

	Capital Dome.jpg (18.9 K)
	Inside Dome.JPG (58.6 K)
	Examine Jesse.JPG (67.9 K)
	End of sesion.JPG (59.3 K)
	From the power seat.JPG (63.0 K)

Erik Hendrickson

Posts: 36
From: Duluth/Minneapolis MN
Registered: Feb 27, 2004

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Feb 29, 2004 1:38 PM

Well, I hesitate to talk about it, because it's brought mixed reactions. But if anyone should hear about it, it's all of you..

It's sort of on the line of non-profits who's mission is to provide live/work space. We, however, are looking to start something more along the lines of job/create.

I've seen so many artists who struggle because they end up taking menial jobs (which they hate) simply to survive. This, to us at least, is a tragedy. (I've noticed this has also been talked about in other threads) Not only that, I've seen many who've had great ideas, but could never carry them through completion either from lack of facilities, or because of the prohibitive price of materials.

Well, the idea is to provide a facility where artists could earn a wage doing what they do best, creating art. It would be a group effort, different medias and materials all centered around a theme. The collective projects would then (hopefully) be shown, and (even more hopefully) sold to promote the organization, and to continue funding the jobs program.

On the most basic level, artists could earn a wage and 'practice' their craft at the same time.

There are other considerations and what-not, but this is the short-and-sweet version. I'm sure this all sounds very idealistic, but even the longest journey starts with a single step, right?

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Feb 29, 2004 3:11 PM

Right! Sweeeeeet!
You do have a long journey ahead of you. Just know you'll learn an immeasurable amount, fail or succed. And don't let anyone dog your idealisim.
I love new non-profit start up stuff. If you don't mind me asking, how far along on your process are you? 4 officers? Incorparation? EIN? 501(c)3? Fund parties and Grant Writing?
So much fun!
Good luck.
Ray

Oh yeah, and how much opperating expence do you need to grant wages? How do you become an employed member?
And even though I feel I was discrimanated against by them, you should check out "I love a Parade" as a model. They have girls working making pupets and masks for a good wage. Then they sell for $250 or so. Man, I down right BEGGED them for work when I was sleeping in my truck, parked at their door. But I "didn't fit the criteria" which seemed to be an all girls thing... but hey, good model.

Message was edited by: Ray Rolfe at Feb 29, 2004 3:12 PM

Erik Hendrickson

Posts: 36
From: Duluth/Minneapolis MN
Registered: Feb 27, 2004

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Feb 29, 2004 8:53 PM

Well, 'officially' not very far along. Much of the paper work is done, but it comes down to money right now, money of putting everything through, etc. I just wanted to get all the paperwork done, and all in one place, to make sure there are no conflicts.

The 'hiring' process is sort of hard to explain. In fact the biggest impass (or one of them) is what to look for. Do they need to be published or have a PhD in the arts? Of course not. Then again, we dont want to just hire randomly either. Also, part of what we want to do is multi-disciplinary, bringing people in from 'non-artistic' fields and using their creativity in new ways.

I guess it all comes down to 'gut-feelings' But how does one define that?

As far as grant-writing and fundraising goes, that's sort of been put into my lap. In time, at least one full staff memeber will be in charge of it. But now, in the start-up phase, it will fall to me. So anyone who has ANY experience with it, or could even just give me some pointers, would be a HUGE help.

Ray-what are you doing these days, if I assume you're not sleeping in your truck anymore?

Message was edited by: Erik Hendrickson at Feb 29, 2004 8:54 PM

Lauren DeSteno

Posts: 1,520
From: Minneapolis, MN
Registered: Oct 19, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Mar 1, 2004 1:22 AM

thanks, ray! it's still work, but i feel that it is important work. there are many things to love about india.

Erik - have you checked out springboard for the arts in st. paul? they run many wonderful workshops, including one on how to start a non-profit.

http://www.springboardforthearts.org/

lauren

Erik Hendrickson

Posts: 36
From: Duluth/Minneapolis MN
Registered: Feb 27, 2004

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Mar 1, 2004 7:21 AM

No, I hadn't seen that, thanks!!

This helps, because I find that if people don't offer me help/advice etc, then I don't go looking for it. I automatically try to 're-invent the wheel' everytime I do something.

It's nice to know I'm not the first one to do this kind of thing!! Although I did notice their non-profit class has been cancelled, I'll have to check into that.

Robert Parker Williams

Posts: 50
Registered: Nov 24, 2003

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Mar 1, 2004 1:04 PM

I survived Old Timer's Hockey weekend! I wrote a small snippet for the local paper. I guess that counts as art: getting obliterated on gin and beer while watching old friends kill themselves trying to still play hockey and publishing an article of stuff I think I remember happening.

I'm on my way back to civilization, Al's bar somewhere down there at the intersection of the city of Edina and who cares. More hockey on Saturday: Gophers/St. Cloud.

Back to my nap.

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Mar 2, 2004 12:15 PM

>>>Ray-what are you doing these days, if I assume you're not sleeping in your truck anymore?<<<

Your assumption is wrong (hehe). But at least it's warmer out now. I declare I have survived the winter. My sleep schedual is all wack. 12 hours some times, 3 hours some times. I'm trying to do the day time now that there is more sunlight to absorb out there.

I saw the Passion Of Christ sunday night. It was the Heights Theater, and I didn't know it but when you go in there they have a guy playing organ. It thought it was connected to the movie to provide a church going atmosphear. But it's just a non related thing they do before every film. Very surreal. Dudes jamming and the roller rink lights start spinning. Then at the end the whole set up retracts into the stage. Pretty cool.
The movie itself, well it's an experience. The best critisim I have heard was from my friends Mom who said "eh, Jesus sufered way more then that". I predict it is only a matter of a week or so before the extreem graphic violence is turned parrody on something like saturday night live, where you will have a comic with a bleeding Jesus suit hamming it up. Harsh, I know. But only to predictable.

Today is a very good day. And It's only noon. I am allmost back to full operational condition! After walking around all winter, confined to a 4 mile area, I FINALY HAVE 2 WHEEL ACTION AGAIN! I got an intertube from Varsity Bike shop and my sweet french touring bike(Peugeot) is back in action. Now I can be productive in my city travels.

I'm going to run a few prints today. I can't do the "Ahhh Blue Surf" painting because it is hung in a tanning salon in crystal at the moment and I need it back before I can do the high quality scan needed for reproduction. So just for today, I will run;
1.Primative ( http://mnartists.org/work.do?rid=21620 )
2.Bridge Troubled Waters ( http://mnartists.org/work.do?rid=22559 )
3.Snow Garden ( http://mnartists.org/work.do?rid=22560 )

Because these are a few I have high quality scans of at the moment.
A Limited edition, first run of 1 each will signed and numbered for e-commerce release on ebay as soon as I figure it out. Probebly later today or tomarrow. I still have to go to Target to get the frames. Which should be no problem since I have my bike! Whoooooyeeah!

K, I'm off.
~R

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Mar 2, 2004 12:31 PM

And hey Erik, you might learn a ton by hooking up with other NP orgs doing like work. "The Fallout" comes to mind. http://www.falloutminneapolis.com/
You needen't re-invent the wheel.. but I understand it is fun.

Brian Capanoli

Posts: 42
Registered: Nov 10, 2003

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Mar 2, 2004 11:27 PM

Erik: that sounds like a great idea. It will be a first in Minnesota.

To me artists get a bad rap. They do so much good for the world, being original thinkers and all, through so many fields: painting and sculpture, music, theater, literature, fashion, you name it, but ironically, they're the last to get hired into anything based solely on their talents, even if they have a degree. Yet who is the real loser in this scenario? Is it the artist that even though doesn't have the money, still has the inspiration; or is it the one who rejected that person, preferring to live in the dead weight of his or her drab life, afterward wondering where that life went, and why that person couldn't have reached beyond that boring, grey cubicle they call "work?"

So show the world. Tell the world artists have their place in the contributions not only to the public inspiration, but also should be considered valuable members and contributors to the economy, as much as their industrial, corporate, or administrative counterparts.

BRIAN

Erik Hendrickson

Posts: 36
From: Duluth/Minneapolis MN
Registered: Feb 27, 2004

Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Mar 2, 2004 11:49 PM

Ray - I don't know what to say, I don't know if I could live the life you do, but I'm intrigued by it

You know, Brian summed up a lot of what's brought us to wanting to start something like this. I think everything you've said is spot on. Not to mention the fact that art has become 'taboo', not just as a profession, but in general. Being an artist has because somewhat laughable in the 'real world', where's it's seen as interesting but foolish. A 'phase' one goes through, but that one grows out of. I reject that. There was a time, classically, that artists had one of the most respected professions. Now, it's more like a punch line. I sound like I have more anger than I do, but I'm sure you all know what I mean

I guess it comes down to the fact that we want it to be 'ok' to be an artist. That you can live a reasonable life, and still be an artist. That you can have a reasonable place to live, and still be an artist. And that there is a place where you can express yourself, individually or in a group setting, in order to benefit both yourself and the group.

Plus, I just plain love the idea of multi-disciplinism. (Is that a word??) I've noticed that artists, and people in general 'know' what art is, and where art begins and ends. Art is photography, and painting, and sculpture, and literature, etc. But so many people see those as the boundries. There are so many creative people, in so many professions, that are indeed 'artists' in their own medium. I, personally, cannot draw worth a damn. So I happened to gravitate to photography and digital arts. But it extends further than that... I have a B.S. in computer science, and saw programmers who were naturally talented at it. They were amazing, they could see patterns and programs before they were coded. I see this as much like scultping, where one may 'see' the finished work inside the stone, and simply chip away at the 'extra' material until it is exposed. Those programmers were also artists, and like any artist, they would practice, play, and push the limits of their media. They are no different than any of us, and I see them and many other people as a great untapped resource. Just imagine what we could all create, together! It's really something

Wow, this one got long-winded!!

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