About Us - Alternate ROOTS

About Alternate ROOTS

Alternate ROOTS is an organization based in the Southern USA whose 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 the concerns through its program and services

Alternate ROOTS provides 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. The nature of this work spreads us far and wide from each other, so collaboration, peer sharing and combined impact can be a challenge. Alternate ROOTS helps us sustain our artistic development, increased visibility, and stability as activist artists and cultural organizers.

Our History

Alternate ROOTS was founded in 1976 at the Highlander Center in New Market, Tennessee in order to meet the distinct needs of artists who work for social justice, and artists who create work by, for, about and within communities of place, tradition, affiliation, and spirit. Originally an acronym for “Regional Organization of Theaters South”, ROOTS quickly established itself as a thought leader in the field of community-based arts and the only regional collective of artists committed to social and economic justice. In response to the needs of the growing field of community-based arts, ROOTS evolved to a multidisciplinary member-based and artist-driven organization. Member artists develop programs, and ROOTS provides resources for the needs of these socially conscious artists.

Who We Are

As a progressive arts organization, ROOTS is at the forefront of establishing model programs for regional cultural organizing in the US. ROOTS is an incubator for participatory democracy, and through the practice of our guiding principles as created by Resources for Social Change – Equitable Partnership, Shared Power, Open Dialogue, Individual and Community Transformation, and an Aesthetic of Transparent Processes – we model regional organizing that is responsive to and reflective of the needs of this unique artistic community.

The ROOTS Staff

Alternate ROOTS is member-focused. As artists and cultural organizers based in the South, we are creating a better world together. Most of our staff are also ROOTS members.

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee, affectionately called “ExComm” is your elected body of representatives who make decisions on behalf of the full board of directors of Alternate ROOTS, which includes 200+ voting members. ExComm meets by video-call monthly throughout the year to address organizational needs, offer member feedback, and provide governance and strategic direction.