[ This page is intended to serve as an archive for The Invisible City Project website. While this information is not up to date, it is my hope that its contents continue to provide a point of entry.]
The Invisible City Project Co-operative provides a framework for administering the existing Invisible City Project, by putting its programming directly into the hands of the community for which it was created in the first place. Under the leadership of Arien Wilkerson and Rebecca Puretz as facilitators, we seek to provide opportunities to trade labor and community outreach efforts for rehearsal space, creative programming and performance opportunities. By pooling resources, sharing inspiration and ideas, and fighting for the validation we all need in a united effort, we hope to enrich Hartford’s dance landscape and carve a meaningful place in its cultural core. We want to live in a community where artists can thrive, instead of merely exist. Place affects product and quality of life, and cannot be ignored. While we are in the beginning stages of translating the co-operative structure to our needs, we are employing with the intention of connecting local dance artists to each other, to essential resources and extended networks within the field, and to potential audiences throughout the region.
What is a co-op, anyways?
According to cultivate.coop, it is “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise. [It is] user-controlled, user-owned, and user-benefiting.” We also have been inspired by the seven co-operative principles, as outlined by the International Cooperative Alliance:
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
2. Democratic Member Control
Co-operatives are democratic organisations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organised in a democratic manner.
3. Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
4. Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
5. Education, Training and Information
Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
6. Co-operation among Co-operatives
Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Concern for Community
Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Who Benefits and How?
The Invisible City Project Co-op is designed to nurture local dance holistically, so we hope benefits will be felt by a wide range of people: artists and audiences alike. We believe, however, that this nurturing must begin with the artists themselves, and by encouraging cooperation among them. To this end, we seek qualified members with at least three years demonstrated experience in a movement-based art form. Ideal candidates will be equally interested in creating original work and working collaboratively, with a bonus interest in performance curation. We’re looking for curious and exploratory folks who are willing to dig deep and unearth their greatest potential.
Prospective co-op members will be invited to complete an application and engage in an interview with the facilitators. Then, with a commitment to a minimum 6-month engagement, and the logging of at least 10 service hours per month, co-op members will be secured roles as workshop facilitators and given the opportunity to have their work presented and seen by the Greater Hartford community. They will also have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and receive valuable feedback from likeminded peers.
If you would like to find out more, become a member and/or contribute to the terms of membership as they evolve, please contact our co-op facilitators:
Rebecca Puretz, Invisible City Project Co-op Facilitator
Arien Wilkerson, Invisible City Project Co-op Facilitator
