February 22, 2024 Member News

Posted on by Melisa Cardona Posted in Blog

 

ROOTS Week 2014. Photo by Doobius.org

 

In This Issue: 

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ROOTS Week 2023. Photo by Mel Cardona. 

You are Invited: Listening Sessions with ExComm

Join us for one of two listening sessions dedicated to hearing directly from our valued members. These sessions aim to gather insights into how the ROOTS community perceives the organization’s needs, to identify member needs in relation to ROOTS, and to understand our leadership transition process. The Executive Committee seeks direct input from the ROOTS community regarding their experiences with the organization and aims to pinpoint areas where our Executive Committee can best support both the organization as a whole, its staff, and individual members. Your perspectives will play a crucial role in shaping the organization’s forward movements.

Your participation in these listening sessions is vital as we continue to ensure that ROOTS can thrive and effectively serve its communities. Let your voice be heard as we collectively shape the future of ROOTS. All members of Alternate ROOTS are invited and encouraged to participate as you are able, including staff and members of the Executive Committee.

Tuesday, March 12
Time: 6-7pm ET / 5-6pm CT
Register HERE

Wednesday, March 13
Time: 6-7pm ET / 5-6pm CT
Register HERE

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Member News Release Dates 

As you may know, we publish two Member News editions each month to keep our community informed and connected. Here’s the key takeaway:

First edition newsletter (1st Monday of the month) will feature news from the field, grant opportunities, opportunities from partners, and non-member announcements.

Second edition newsletter (3rd Monday of the month) features member contributions. We are committed to sharing your news with the ROOTS community. Please note that news submitted by members will exclusively appear in the 2nd edition of the month. This arrangement allows us to curate and present your news with the attention and care it deserves.

Please submit your news items via THIS FORM by the first of the month for inclusion in the

2nd Edition Member News for the next month (March 1 for inclusion in March 18 Member News). Thank you for being an essential part of the ROOTS community!

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Executive Committee Nominations Open

Nominations for Alternate ROOTS Executive Committee (ExComm) service for 2024-2027 are open now until Friday, March 15, 2024. 

Please think about the leaders in your region who are deeply connected to the work of Alternate ROOTS. Take a moment to nominate yourself or someone you think is a committed ROOTS member: a visionary leader ready to learn and inspire. 

With almost one hundred ROOTS voting board members, the ExComm is the body of 9-15 representatives that the voting members elect to offer governance and oversight throughout the year.

Voting members of currently active status can be nominated or self-nominate using THIS FORM. Once the nominations close on Friday March 15, the ExComm will review applications and propose a slate for an early voting period before the Annual Business Meeting.

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Upcoming ExComm Meetings


ROOTS Week 2019. Photo by Mel Cardona. 

ExComm meetings are on the first Tuesdays of the month. All members are welcome to attend ExComm monthly meetings.

Tuesday, March 5 at 5:30pm ET
Tuesday, April 2 at 5:30pm ET

See Zoom link listed below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86289285127?pwd=d3BoeUgwQlcxMCtraStycGtzVi9ldz09
Meeting ID: 862 8928 5127
Passcode: 198730

If you have any issues accessing the zoom meeting, please e-mail marina@alternateroots.org.

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Take a Survey to Guide Executive Search Process

Alternate ROOTS has begun the process of searching for the next executive leadership for the organization. The Executive Leadership Search Advisory Task Force is a cross-section of ROOTS members, including April C. Turner, Lisa Mount, MK Wegmann, Ace McColl, Margo Miller,                 D. Patton White, Garett Nunley, Abi Gomez, Priscilla Smith, Sage Crump, Jerry Stropnicky, and Keryl McCord.

The Task Force has constructed a survey to inform the job description and announcement for ROOTS’ executive leadership search. We want to identify characteristics that are the most important to our members and stakeholders.

Please use this link to fill out the survey. It is anonymous. The Task Force wants to hear your point of view.

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RENEW YOUR DUES BY MARCH 1 TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SPRING GRANTS!

If you are planning to apply for Artistic Assistance: Professional Development in the Spring be certain your membership is up to date by March 1, 2024.

Joining or renewing your membership by March 1 is a necessity for applying for the next round of Artistic Assistance, which opens in April.

Here’s How to Check your Membership Status: 

If you DO have a profile in ROOTS’ Member Directory:

  • Check out the “Membership End Date” on your profile – this is the day your dues expire. If your “Membership End Date” comes before or during the month of February 2024: renew your dues by March 1 to make sure you have access to the Spring 2024 round of Artistic Assistance.
  • If you do not see your profile, this means your membership has expired and you need to renew your dues. Your profile will reappear once your dues are current.

If you DON’T have a profile in ROOTS’ Member Directory, set one up HERE.

  • Your completed profile will then appear in the Member Directory in 1-2 days and you can check out your “Membership End Date.”
  • If your “Membership End Date” comes before or during the month of February 2024: renew your dues by March 1 to make sure you have access to the Spring 2024 round of Artistic Assistance.

Questions about your membership dues or membership profile can be directed to our Membership Team at membership@alternateroots.org.

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ROOTS Week 2024: Save the Date!


ROOTS Week 2023. Photo by Mel Cardona. 

Mark your calendars! The next in-person Alternate ROOTS gathering, ROOTS Week, will be held Tuesday August 13-Sunday August 18, 2024 at Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center in Arden, NC. Stay tuned for calls for proposals and registration information!

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New/Current Member Orientation March 14, 2024


ROOTS Week 2023. Photo by Mel Cardona

New and current ROOTS Members are invited to New Member Orientation

Thursday, March 14 at 6:30 ET. Register HERE. This serves as an introduction to the organization, our members, our history, and our purpose in a personal, impactful, and hopefully engaging way. ALL members are welcome to ROOTS’ first virtual orientation of 2024 (not just new members). Come Connect!

The Membership Team is holding office hours every Tuesday and Thursday! During office hours, the Membership team can be reached by phone to answer any questions and assist with any membership matters.

Membership Team Office Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday: 11am – 2pm ET
(404) 577-1079 EXT. 302

Questions? Reach out to membership@alternateroots.org

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News from Members

Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) in Ocean Springs, MS is inviting proposals from artists to collaborate on a multi-day art engagement with a selected group of eighth-grade students (10-15 members) as an expression of their Wide Horizons immersive experiences and their relationship with the Gulf of Mexico. This multi-day art engagement will yield a public-facing product to be shared with the community that may blend or range from public sculpture, mural, and installation, to online presentations and in-person performative social activity. Learn more about WAMA’s Wide Horizons: Place-based Education & The Future of the Gulf and apply!

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TransFire’s RITUAL II is an invitation to witness the creativity of TGNC+ brilliance when provided with the resources, community and support to lean into their artistic expression. It will feature the sacred works of: Venus Kii Thomas, Misty Mausi, Troy Oko, jayvie song and Anjali through the mediums of music, dance, theatre, poetry, storytelling, ritual and more!! This virtual offering is a stunning visual collage of live performance, behind-the-scenes content, and gorgeous stills taken from TransFire’s in-person performance. ASL Interpretation & Open Captions Available.

Sat, Feb 24, 2024, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ET (online, recording available 48 hours afterward)

Purchase Tickets: www.ticketfalcon.com/e/transfireritual2/

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SoulCenter welcomes you to celebrate and affirm our Third Fellowship Cohort. Each Fellow will be presenting about their time at SoulCenter and talking more about their final projects. We will also have a community ritual and words of encouragement from community elders. We welcome you to join us and meet this amazing group of Blk Waymakers as we introduce them to the Professional Arts world! Be prepared for their genius. We are cultivating the next generation of creatives that will innovate the ways we encounter value building and art making! SoulCenter is a creative content development space based in Atlanta, Georgia, focused on Blk and brown creatives between the ages of 18 and 35.

Friday, February 23, 6:30pm ET (Digital Presentation) REGISTER HERE

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The Gender Gallery presents Reclamation of Love: Love Letters to Gender Expansiveness

Join The Gender Gallery for two nights of centering love and care for one another through an interactive ritualistic living love letter to gender expansiveness. Experience a rare opportunity to help craft a space and performance that celebrates and uplifts gender expansive love and creativity. IG: @thegendergallery

March 13th 7-9pm: NorthStar Church of the Arts, 220 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701 Reclamation of Love: Love Letters to Gender Expansiveness @ NorthStar

March 16th 7-9pm: Perfect Lovers, 2823 N Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27704
Reclamation of Love: Love Letters to Gender Expansiveness @ Perfect Lovers

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Full Radius Dance | SAINT

 

The word “sacred” comes from the Latin sancire, to set apart or separate for a holy purpose. But what is it that separates sacred from profane? Where lies the dividing line? Saint is a new work by Artistic Director Douglas Scott. Cellist, Deisha Oliver and Guitarist/Composer Colin Bragg join as live composition for a portion of the program.

Friday, March 8, 2024 at 7 PM

Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 7 PM with ASL Interpretation

Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 3 PM

7 Stages Theatre Mainstage, 1105 Euclid Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Full Radius Dance

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Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction 


Photo via ILGWU- Carole Frances Lung: Archivist Video, 2015

Exhibition: National Gallery, Washington, March 17–July 28, 2024

Performances: Carole Frances Lung performs Frau Fiber vs. The Machine

National Gallery Sunday, March 24 and Monday, March 25, 10am-5pm.

Woven Histories delves into dynamic moments when social and political issues have activated textile production and artmaking with heightened focus and urgency. Traced chronologically with 160 works made in a range of techniques—from oil painting to weaving, basketry, netting, knotting, and knitting—the exhibition explores the overlap between abstract art, fashion, design, and craft. This exhibition is curated by Lynne Cooke, senior curator in the department of special projects in modern art, National Gallery of Art.

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Have news you want to share with your fellow ROOTS members? Fill out this form!

 

Alternate ROOTS supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in communities of place, tradition or spirit. We are a group of artists and cultural organizers based in the South creating a better world together. As Alternate ROOTS, we call for social and economic justice and are working to dismantle all forms of oppression—everywhere.