50 Rhizomes for 50 Years of Art & Justice

For 50 years, Alternate ROOTS has supported artists, cultural organizers, and communities across the South in using art to connect, reflect, and create change. As part of our 50th Anniversary, ROOTS is inviting members throughout our region to host 50th Anniversary Rhizomes: hyper-local events designed to grow and nurture our coalition of artists and cultural workers around art, organizing, shared learning, and connection.

Rhizomes

ROOTS’ Rhizomes take their name from nature: a rhizome is a continuously growing horizontal underground stem that puts out lateral shoots and roots. Alternate ROOTS’ 400+ members live throughout our 14-state region. When our members come together to share their art and organizing, learn about each other’s work, and build strong local networks, ROOTS calls these gatherings Rhizomes. Rhizomes are vital to the sustainability of Alternate ROOTS – they grow and nurture our coalition of artists and cultural workers around the region.

Rhizomes can be as simple or as structured as you need them to be. Whether you’re hosting 5 people in a living room or 50 people in a community space, Rhizomes can foster deep, meaningful connections among artists and culture bearers in many different formats. Here are just a few examples: 

Simple: Organize a potluck or meetup with local ROOTers. Gather a small group of artists to read It’ll Take Some Tellin’: Stories of Alternate ROOTS and have a community dialogue. 

Mid-Scale: Host an open mic, workshop, or story circle. Celebrate a beloved ancestor’s legacy, record oral histories, or launch a collective art project. 

Larger: Host a cultural showcase, pair a visual art exhibition with live music. Bring together artists and organizers to tackle local issues.

We want to make sure hosting never feels like heavy lifting. To directly support your vision, ROOTS provides $250 – $500 in funding for approved Rhizomes! 

These funds can be used for:

  • Space rentals & venue fees
  • Food, refreshments, & hospitality (because in the South, we feed our people!)
  • Contractor fees & honorariums for guest performers, musicians, or documentarians

These funds can NOT be used for paying the Rhizome host.

To help us track our collective impact across the South and celebrate your work, hosts agree to:

  • Meet with Alternate ROOTS staff before your event.
  • Set up an event registration link for your guests.
  • Introduce Alternate ROOTS to attendees during your gathering.
  • Set out the provided QR code so attendees can scan and purchase the book It’ll Take Some Tellin’: Stories of Alternate ROOTS.
  • Collect sign-in sheet info and capture photos/videos to share with the network!

The first step in hosting your own Rhizome is setting up a meeting with the Membership Services Manager.

Hosting a Rhizome begins with a simple, collaborative conversation. We use this time to talk through your ideas, and outline marketing support. After this conversation, you will complete an application form. We recommend reaching out 1-2 months in advance of your Rhizome date.

Schedule a Meeting