Become A ROOTS Member
Alternate ROOTS is member-focused. As artists and cultural organizers based in the South, we are creating a better world together. We strongly encourage all new members to attend ROOTS Week, ROOTS Weekends, and/or the next ROOTS event found HERE.
Joining ROOTS is the first step into a vital and engaged community that creates powerful and moving art – and supports each other along the path.
ROOTS Membership Levels
Alternate ROOTS supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in community, place, tradition or spirit. Joining ROOTS is the first step into a vital and engaged community that creates powerful and moving art – and supports each other along the path.
We Are ROOTS
We are a group of artists and cultural organizers based in the South, committed to creating a better world through our collective efforts. As a member-driven national resource for artists and cultural organizers, we dedicate ourselves to championing social and economic justice, as well as the invaluable work of individuals in our field. Our mission extends beyond the arts; we aim to foster a vibrant community where the voices of artists and cultural organizers are amplified and recognized as essential catalysts for change.
We Are ROOTS
We are a group of artists and cultural organizers based in the South, committed to creating a better world through our collective efforts. As a member-driven national resource for artists and cultural organizers, we dedicate ourselves to championing social and economic justice, as well as the invaluable work of individuals in our field. Our mission extends beyond the arts; we aim to foster a vibrant community where the voices of artists and cultural organizers are amplified and recognized as essential catalysts for change.
Join as a General Member
JOIN AS A GENERAL MEMBER - $40/YEAR
General members are encouraged to be active in ROOTS programs and committees (we call them Work Groups) at whatever level they choose. General members have the same benefits as Voting Members except that general members do not play a formal governance role in the organization.
General Member Benefits
- Receive regular ROOTS publications, including member specific information
- May list activities in ROOTS publications
- Receive fee discounts for ROOTS’ programs
- Post a member profile on ROOTS website
- In order to qualify broadly to apply for programs and services of Alternate ROOTS, you must be a current general member or voting member. Per grant and program guidelines, additional requirements may apply. Staff may make exceptions to this practice as needed to serve the mission and the strategic plan.
General Member Responsibilities
- Maintain a current member profile on the Alternate ROOTS website.
- Pay annual dues of $40/year due on the anniversary of your membership application.
- Actively participate in the work of the organization through Work Groups, regional organizing activities, and/or the Annual Business Meeting.
General members are also encouraged to support and strengthen the ROOTS network by serving as a liaison between ROOTS and compatible organizations, supporting the work of other members, sharing information and resources within the network, recruiting potential new members and listing affiliation with ROOTS in your artist materials.
General Member Criteria
- Create or present original work that is of, by, for, or together with a community of place, tradition, or spirit
- Committed to social and economic justice and/or the protection of the natural world
Join as a Voting Member
JOIN AS A VOTING MEMBER - $40/YEAR
Voting members assume trusteeship for the organization and play a role in governing the organization. Applicants for voting membership are accepted only after the current voting body votes them in during the Annual Business Meeting at ROOTS Week.
Voting Member Benefits
- May vote at the Annual Business Meeting and at other times when an organizational decision is required from the voting membership
- Receive regular ROOTS publications, including member-specific information
- May list activities in ROOTS publications
- Receive fee discounts for ROOTS’ programs
- Post a member profile on ROOTS website
- In order to qualify broadly to apply for programs and services of Alternate ROOTS, you must be a current general member or voting member. Per grant and program guidelines, additional requirements may apply. Staff may make exceptions to this practice as needed to serve the mission and the strategic plan.
Voting Member Responsibilities
- As the Board of Directors, voting members are fiscally and legally responsible for the organization as defined by law.
- Vote to approve new voting members and elect the Executive Committee as well as approve changes to the by-laws, membership policy, and mission statement.
- Actively participate in the work of the organization through Work Groups, regional organizing activities, and/or the Annual Business Meeting.
- Pay annual dues of $40/year due on the anniversary of your membership application.
- Maintain a current member profile on the ROOTS website.
Voting members are also encouraged to support and strengthen the ROOTS network by serving as a liaison between ROOTS and compatible organizations, supporting the work of other members, sharing information and resources within the network, recruiting potential new members and listing affiliation with ROOTS in your artist materials.
Voting Member Criteria
- Live in the U.S. South (defined as AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV and Washington D.C.)
- Create or present original work that is of, by, for, or together with a community of place, tradition, or spirit.
- Committed to social and economic justice and/or the protection of the natural world.
- Familiarity with Alternate ROOTS. Those who are new to the organization are encouraged to join as General Members.
- Must be voted in by the present voting member during the Annual Business Meeting at ROOTS Week.
Voting Member Application
Applications for voting membership are accepted at any time. Apply here or contact the ROOTS office at membership@alternateroots.org or call 404-577-1079 Ext. 302. Voting members who leave the region will automatically become general members. In order to maintain membership status, dues must be paid annually on the date of first application.
Join as an Organizational Member
JOIN AS AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBER - $40/YEAR
Alternate ROOTS recognizes the importance and value of organizing groups of individuals around a common purpose and shared goals. Organizations — human structures for working together — are essential elements for community making. The companies, ensembles, co-operatives, community centers, and other organizational structures that ROOTS members engage in are themselves potential allies. Recognizing these organizations as ROOTS Member Organizations acknowledges an aspect of our collective strength.
Organizational Member Benefits
- Receive regular ROOTS publications (main contact person)
- May list activities in ROOTS publications (main contact person)
- Post an Organizational Member profile on ROOTS website
- Eligible to apply for Alternate ROOTS Fiscal Sponsorship Program.
Organizational Member Responsibilities
- Maintain a current organization profile on the Alternate ROOTS website.
- Pay annual dues of $40/year due on the anniversary of your membership application.
Note that organizational membership does not convey membership benefits to individuals. To apply for grants and partnership programs, you must be an individual member.
Organizational Member Criteria
- Alignment with and support of ROOTS mission
Interested in an Organizational Membership? Contact Alternate ROOTS office at membership@alternateroots.org or call 404-577-1079
Renew Membership
RENEW MEMBERSHIP - $40/YEAR
Questions? Need More Info?
QUESTIONS? NEED MORE INFO?
Membership Team Office Hours
During office hours, the Membership team can be reached by phone to answer any questions and assist with any membership matters.
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday: 11am – 2pm ET
(404) 577-1079 EXT. 302
Email Us (membership@alternateroots.org)
If you would like to donate a membership to someone specific or simply to anyone in need please email membership@alternateroot.org for instructions.
No matter who you are or what level of membership is right for you, everyone in the organization has shared responsibility for promoting ROOTS, its programs and causes through your personal endeavors. You also get the shared benefits of an extended network of artists and cultural organizers working together to promote community-based art making, social justice and a healthy environment for all.
