A new resource for working Bay Area artists

[expo at lists.artsandmedia.net]

Dear folks; 

For many years, the Expo for the Artist & Musician has been using this listserv to provide you with information on classes, events and resources around the Bay Area in support of the arts in our communities. 

However, in all that time, it's been a one-way announcement list, with no dialogue and resource exchange. That's not very DIY at all, is it? First and foremost, culture, community and civic participation emerge from dialogue and mutual aid!

So we've decided to create a new, separate listserv for subscribers who want to talk directly to each other. And hopefully, you'll help make it useful. Because it's for, of and by you. Once the list has been created, you'll be sent an invitation to join, and the rest is your call. 

A NEW LISTSERV?
The idea was proposed to us by Stephanie Gerson, a Berkeley artist and sojourner looking for a local listserv with a very specific purpose: finding human resources for art projects that are being worked on locally and in the near term. 

This could include, for example, a photographer seeking models for an upcoming shoot, a film producer seeking a make-up artist, a band seeking a live dancer for a show.  The idea then expanded a bit to include other kinds of resources, such as a photographer seeking a particular kind of lens, a film producer seeking advice on outdoor locations for a scene, a band seeking to borrow a rare instrument.  

DEFINING THE PURPOSE
Above all, this listserv must remain useful and lively without succumbing to online trolls and flame wars. So, we need you to help us define what sort of information subscribers could provide: 

     1) solely human resources needed by artists working 
        on local and near-term projects (i.e. artists seeking collaborators)

     2) multiple kinds of resources (human, material, informational, and
        otherwise) needed by artists working on local and near-term art projects

     3) resources along with events, announcements, and general discussion
        regarding local and near-term art projects

WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Also, please also let us know which name for list you like best -- and feel free to send suggestions. Here's our top five ... perhaps you can improve on them!:

	artbarn
	artswap
	pollinator
	artware
	artnik


Please drop us a line directly with your comments and ideas, and thanks for your work on behalf of the arts in our communities!

Most sincerely,

Stephanie Gerson (independent artist) 
Josh Wilson (Expo for the Artist & Musician)
415/861-5302

-- 
Coming Saturday, September 15, 2007 .... 

The Eighth Annual Expo for the Artist & Musician
     SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street

Be a part of Expo 2007!
     http://artsandmedia.net/expo/participate/