I've been in correspondance with some of you about how to recruit more folks to the micro grants.  This phase, once the proposals are submitted and prior to voting (deadline is March 25th), seems like an excellent time to encourage folks to support the collective fund.  Up to this point I've been requiring that folks give for at least a month prior to voting because I think it's important that folks are signing on to support the fund in general and not just for one month to swoop in, vote for a friend, and be gone.  That said, I'd like to give it a try and see if by encouraging friends and supporters to join the fund now, we can build a stronger base together for the next cycle.  So....

Please join us in this grant cycle and help to rate the proposals by March 25th!  

Contributing to the collective fund is a simple way and direct way to financially support artist-etceteras in the Pioneer Valley.  Simply follow the guidelines to become a member, select a monthly contribution to the collective fund and then I will send you an email with the rating system for this grant cycle.  You will be able to participate in the rating of proposals and your contribution will be added to the next grant cycle.

The Mutual Aid Micro Grants are a way to support creative work in the Pioneer Valley, these small contributions can add up to make a big difference for someone leading to the creation of new work, process and research.  In this cycle we are granting $700+ to a selected proposal.  Through its micro-grants Valley Art Share strives to foster mutual aid and a high level of community accountability and transparency by creating an accessible funding platform in which the entire granting process —from application and review, to voting and distribution of funds— is available to all its members.  You can read more about it at: www.valleyartshare.com/microgrants

This is a work in progress, an experimentation in small-scale community-based funding.  As always I welcome your feedback and questions so please do be in touch if you have any.
All the best,
Julia
Julia Handschuh
Valley Art Share
valleyartshare@gmail.com

p.s. check out this cycles proposal here.