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Become a ROOTS Member

The work of Alternate ROOTS is the work of our members.

As artists and cultural organizers based in the South, we are creating a better world together. Joining ROOTS is the first step into a vital and engaged community that creates powerful and moving art – and supports each other along the way.

Renew Your Dues

The heart of Alternate ROOTS is our members, and only General and Voting members have access to our funding programs.

Membership dues are $40/year and can be renewed here. If you plan to apply for our funding programs, be certain your membership is up to date by that program’s deadline.

Not sure if your dues need to be renewed? Want to donate a membership? Please reach out via our contact form and select “Membership” as the subject line.

ROOTS Membership Levels

We offer three membership levels: General, Voting, and Organizational. Read on for more information on all three – including benefits, responsibilities, and eligibility requirements.

ALL members are encouraged to be active in the work of the organization – joining Work Groups, attending ROOTS gatherings, and getting to know the members in your region.

General members have all the same benefits as Voting Members, except that general members do not play a formal governance role in the organization. If you are new to the ROOTS community, we encourage you to join as a General Member.

General Member Benefits

  • Post a member profile on ROOTS’ member directory
  • Receive ROOTS’ publications, including member-specific information
  • Share your work through ROOTS’ publications and social media platforms
  • Receive fee discounts for ROOTS’ programs
  • Qualify to apply for ROOTS’ funding programs. Additional requirements may apply, based on the individual funding program’s eligibility requirements.

General Member Responsibilities

  • Maintain a current member profile on ROOTS’ member directory
  • 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.
  • Spread the word about ROOTS: list your ROOTS affiliation in your artist materials, invite new individual and organizational members
  • Strengthen the ROOTS network: support the work of other members, share information and resources within the network

General Member Eligibility

  • 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 now

Becoming a Voting Member means you are applying to join the Board of Directors of Alternate ROOTS. Voting Members assume trusteeship for the organization and play a role in ROOTS’ governance. While you can fill out the application to become a voting member at any time, Voting Members are only voted in during the Annual Business Meeting, held during ROOTS Week.

Voting Member Benefits

  • Vote at the Annual Business Meeting and at other times when an organizational decision is required from the voting membership
  • Post a member profile on ROOTS’ member directory
  • Receive ROOTS’ publications, including member-specific information
  • Share your work through ROOTS’ publications and social media platforms
  • Receive fee discounts for ROOTS’ programs
  • Qualify to apply for ROOTS funding programs. Additional requirements may apply, based on the individual funding program’s eligibility requirements.

Voting Member Responsibilities

  • As Alternate ROOTS 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.
  • Maintain a current member profile on the ROOTS member directory.
  • Pay annual dues of $40/year due on the anniversary of your membership application. Dues must be current in order to maintain Voting Member status. 
  • Spread the word about ROOTS: list your ROOTS affiliation in your artist materials, invite new individual and organizational members
  • Strengthen the ROOTS network: support the work of other members, share information and resources within the network

Voting Member Eligibility

  • Live in the U.S. South: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. Please note: Voting Members who leave the region will automatically become general members. 
  • 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 body during the Annual Business Meeting at ROOTS Week.
Join now

Alternate ROOTS recognizes the importance and value of organizing groups of individuals around a common purpose and shared goals. 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
  • Post an Organizational Member profile on ROOTS’ member directory
  • Share your organization’s work through ROOTS’ publications and social media platforms
  • Eligible to apply for Alternate ROOTS Fiscal Sponsorship Program

Please note: organizational membership does not convey membership benefits to individuals. To apply for grants and partnership programs, you must be an individual member.

Organizational Member Responsibilities

  • Maintain a current organization profile on the Alternate ROOTS member directory.
  • Pay annual dues of $40/year due on the anniversary of your membership application.

Organizational Member Eligibility

  • 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 now

Questions about Membership?

Our Membership Services Manager holds office hours most Thursdays from 11am – 2pm ET and can be reached by phone during that time to assist with membership matters: (404) 577-1079 x 5.

You can also always reach out via our contact form and select “Membership” as the subject line.