Bartlett Events was a community arts and events-based series that turned a former bus yard from a community eyesore into an asset and public space. The series allowed Nuestra CDC to engage the community in a non-traditional format by allowing the experts (the communities themselves) to organize events in their own community.
THE COOKS
THE INGREDIENTS
• Co-organizers: Mark Matel, Rose Fellow,
• Insurance....................................................................$3,500
Jason Turgeon of FIGMENT Boston and Jeremy Alliger of Alliger Arts
• Host Organization: Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation
• Music coordinator: Blake Jurasin • Summer volunteers: Corinna D’Schoto and Diana Walsh
• Site installations: Youth Build Boston, Fresh Food Generation
• Artists, performers, and event organizers • Outreach partners: Youth Build Boston
Before I Die Boston, APPLAb Alliger Arts
• Food truck vendors • Community event participants
• Equipment
(extension cords, cable ramps, folding tables, pop-up tents, etc.).............................$3,900
• Rentals
(generators, portable toilets, etc.)...........$1,000
• Postcards, fliers, posters.....................................$300 • Permit fees....................................................................$500 • Banner printing of
photographs of neighborhood..................$1,000
• Paint for “Art Wall” ...................................................$500 • Paint and supplies for
Festival of Street Art..........................................$3,000
• Artist Fee....................................................................$5,000 • Recycled vinyl for art wall donated by artist Nate Swain
THE PROCESS 1. Rose Fellow Mark Matel met arts collaborators and together, based on familiarity with community concerns and knowledge of local artist culture, they dreamed up ideas for events series. Met with the owners of the property and convinced them it was a good idea. Solidified budget. 2. Managed red tape: met with city officials, police department, and other municipal authorities to figure out how to run an event of this scale and how to avoid applying for a separate permit for each individual event. In this phase, you may have to do a life safety plan that is stamped and drawn by an architect. You also need insurance. Allow at least three months for this phase, especially in bigger cities.
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