Open Arts Network Partner Profile: Alternate ROOTS

An arts service organization with over 30 years of history, Alternate ROOTS is an invaluable national resource to artists, organizers and cultural workers. As a visible champion of activist artists, ROOTS is looked to for leadership, particularly in the Southern United States, where it provides the most direct services to its members. I asked Carlton Turner, Director of Alternate ROOTS, and Shannon Turner (no relation), Manager of Programs and Services, to tell us more about one of the newest organizations to join Fractured Atlas’s Open Arts Network.

Please give us a brief description of your organization.

Our tagline sums it up nicely: “The Intersection of Art and Activism.” We provide the connective tissue for a distinct segment of the arts and culture field — artists who have a commitment to making work in, with, by, for and about their communities, and those whose cultural work strives for social justice. While this is a large sector in U.S. arts and culture — many artists work in this way and share these aims — these practitioners are, for the most part, informally organized and collaborations are often the result of chance as much as choice. Alternate ROOTS contributes to the sustained artistic development, increased visibility, and stability of activist artists.

What is the mission of Alternate ROOTS?

Alternate ROOTS’ mission is to support the creation and presentation of original art, in all its forms, which is rooted in a particular community of place, tradition or spirit. As a coalition of cultural workers we strive to be allies in the elimination of all forms of oppression. ROOTS is committed to social and economic justice and the protection of the natural world and addresses these concerns through its programs and services.

Who and where are the artist communities that you serve? Are there certain needs that are particular or unique to these communities?

Although ROOTS’ service area is technically the South, stretching from Maryland to Texas, we have affinity for all artists who are working with their communities and striving for social and environmental justice anywhere in the world. Here in the South, we continue to struggle with some of the issues that we have always struggled with, including racism, poverty, and substandard education systems. However, there are also new trends and opportunities in this region, including changing demographics due to migration, industrialization, and our shared concerns about the environment. As noted above, our artists work in all different disciplines but they share a common commitment to original work that furthers the public dialogue of their own communities.

What programs and services do you provide for artists?

ROOTS offers a variety of programs and services to its constituents. All of these programs are more fully described on our website:

* Annual Meeting
* Artistic Assistance
* Community/Artist Partnership Program
* Resources for Social Change

Not to mention many other formal and informal networking and training opportunities as they come up…

Carlton, what do you think about the new Open Arts Network relationship with Fractured Atlas?

Fractured Atlas and Alternate ROOTS share a common goal: to support the creation of art by providing needed support for the artists that create it. As Alternate ROOTS is a relatively small organization, Fractured Atlas is helping us increase our services, which is vitally important to sustaining the arts community. Together, we can co-create the art necessary that, by extension, will create strong, healthy communities for all. We are thankful for the existence of an organization like Fractured Atlas and will continue to spread the word to our artists and the communities they serve.

What is one fact about your organization that you wish was more widely known?

Alternate ROOTS is a regional organization with national impact. ROOTS’ provides a network for artists that stretch across 14 southern states and the District of Columbia. ROOTS has been around since 1976, working at the intersection of arts and activism. And best of all, each year we throw one of the best parties in the country called the Annual Meeting. The words Annual Meeting sound a little bit misleading and so, many people might think it would be something they wouldn’t want to come to, but it’s a week full of artist studios, workshops, performances, late night open mics, and themed dance parties…it’s so much more than the words “annual meeting” can really capture. But, yes, we do some business while we’re there.

Have you seen an increase in demand for any of your services in particular during these tough economic times?

Absolutely. Our Annual Meeting this year was the highest attendance we’ve seen in many years. Thanks to a special grant from the NEA, we were able to provide travel and registration stipends to many participants, and the applications for that program were quite remarkable. So many smart, connected, mission-driven folks out there are working and living on less than $15,000 per year. And they’re doing amazing work with so few resources.

We’ve also seen the evidence in our re-granting programs. In our most recent round of the Community/Artist Partnership Program, we received 15 proposals for a program that typically funds five projects per round. With Artistic Assistance, we received $12,500 in requests for roughly $7,500 we had to distribute. I think that just speaks not only to how much need there is out there, but also to how much great work there is going on in the field.

When and how do you know that you are succeeding in your mission?

One of the most significant signs of fulfilling our mission is the fact that, as we move towards our 35th anniversary in 2011, the founding members of our organization are still very much engaged. In addition, we have attracted a new group of young artists and leaders in the field of community-based arts. To see those who started this organization still around after three and a half decades and helping to lead and learn from the new and next generations is a sign that ROOTS is not only alive and well, but also relevant to the field.

Do you have any conferences, workshops or meetings coming up?

The next Annual Meeting will be August 9-15, 2010 at Camp Lutheridge, in Arden, NC. The benefits are new friends, new skills, new opportunities for funding, and new inspiration for the next year.

How people can get involved with Alternate ROOTS?

Many people’s first exposure to the organization is by meeting someone who’s involved in ROOTS. Word of mouth is 85% of how people hear about anything. Our folks attend other conferences throughout the year, and they do a good job at talking about us. After a person learns about us, they can sign up for an introductory membership for only $20. They can also connect with other members who might live in their area to see if there are activities going on locally. The best way, though, is to come to the Annual Meeting. They’ll meet a lot of new people and learn about the organization. It’s the best, most energizing and exhausting week of the year.

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The Fractured Atlas Open Arts Network gives arts organizations the ability to provide their own members with access to many of the benefits and services that Fractured Atlas provides, including low-cost health and liability insurance, online courses, and a microgrants program that provides funding for professional development efforts.

If you are an arts organization based in the United States with 50 or more members, or if you have a defined constituency of 50+ artists who you support, you may be eligible to participate in Fractured Atlas’s Open Arts Network. Contact Adam Natale (adam.natale@fracturedatlas.org, 212-277-8023) for more information.