WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!!
CENTER FOR CONNECTION + COLLABORATION
GoFundMe FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
https://www.gofundme.com/f/create-the-center-for-connection-and-collaboration
Greetings and salutations!
This is Claire Elizabeth Barratt, director of the Center for Connection + Collaboration – a local and global creative community space based in the Southern Appalachian town of Asheville NC USA.
RENOVATING MY HOME INTO A COMMUNITY SPACE
I’ve always had a vision for a creative community venue.
A place where creatives of all kinds can connect and collaborate together, sharing their knowledge and talents, finding inspiration.
After my Mum passed away in 2019 and Dad asked me to take over the family home here in Asheville NC, I felt a strong calling to put my vision into place. I knew it was time.
I’ve always been a firm believer in “Do what you can with what you’ve got”. And what I’d got was a house.
I could envision its full potential. The living room could be a small, intimate studio, the front bedroom – a costume shop, the study area could be a fully equipped resource library and tech lab, the kitchen a place for culinary tastings, the garden for parties … and the big garage would be a great performance venue!
I also have hope in the sayings: “Be the difference you want to see in the world” and “If you build it, they will come”!
It was time for “The Center for Connection + Collaboration”.
So in September 2019 I began renovations on the house.
I began with my bedroom, shortly followed by an unexpected steep learning curve in roofing when it sprang a leak!
Then:
2020
March – April
Kitchen and back porch (complete renovation)
May
Chimney removal. Exterior window frames.
March – June
Front porch painting and floor patching
June – August
Basement and back patio
September
Gutters
October – November
Front porch floor
2021
January
Front porch awnings
February – May
Costume shop (front bedroom to costume workshop conversion)
(plus salvaging costume collection from basement)
April – October
Garden
May – November
Studio (living room to studio conversion)
(JULY – artist “micro-residency” with audio-visual pioneer Walter Wright)
August
Exterior cement water drainage
October
New metal garage roof!
December/January/February was our “Winter of Poetry”.
The first official CCC season. A full schedule of poetry events:
Workshop series with artist-in-residence David Barratt.
Guest poet series of local and regional South East poets.
Community open mic readings for special winter holidays.
Zoom and in-person attendance for all events.
 | ||||||
| Winter of Poetry at the CCC. 15 poetry events throughout the winter. |
Coming up … Renovations for 2022
March – May
Garage interior will be completed and ready for use by late May.
June – August
Office, Tech Lab, Resource Library will be ready for use by early September.
SCHEDULED TO BE FULLY OPEN BY SEPTEMBER 2022
I am doing most of the work myself. At the start of each room renovation I throw a work-party and invite friends to help with breakdown of the old room. I’ve also had the invaluable help of a couple of folks with skills, strength and tools necessary for certain custom jobs. Other than that, it’s been me – with my basic artist-informed knowledge of design and working with paints and materials.
… Plus many many hours of grueling hard labor!
FUNDING
This is a full-time unpaid job for me!
For the past two years I have worked an average of 30 – 40 hours a week on either renovations or administration and event production at the CCC.
Expenses have been mostly self-funded.
Initially I maxed out several credit cards just to get things going and was able to get a small loan. Then I could claim unemployment during the pandemic lock-down period and was able to really get things done. Some funding has also been received in donations to our GoFundMe on-going fundraiser.
So far I have spent a total of approximately $13,000.
However, so far we have received renovation donations totaling only around $2,500.
In order to reach our scheduled September opening we need another $4,000.
NOW. There is currently no source of income. I’m paying bills with savings.
Once the CCC is completed and fulfilling its vision in the community, it will generate the income it needs to be self-sustaining.
Our Winter of Poetry season strongly indicated that we will balance a budget once the CCC is in continuous use.
WE ARE ALMOST THERE!
PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING A DONATION.
Whatever amount you can give will make a difference. Just the activity on the CCC GoFundMe campaign will help to create a buzz!
PLEASE SHARE THE FUNDRAISER.
Help spread the word! We are seeking benefactors all over the world.
With the magic of technology our participation is global – so anyone, anywhere can get involved.
THANK YOU
Come see us!
 |
| Working on renovations at the CCC. |
 |
| Work parties can be fun! |
CENTER FOR CONNECTION + COLLABORATION
GoFundMe FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
https://www.gofundme.com/f/create-the-center-for-connection-and-collaboration
With heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed so far.
Whether you gave time, energy, money, items or any combination thereof, your gifts are invaluable. None of this could happen without you!
Thank you to the CCC crew:
Chloe Harnett-Hargrove – Administration Assistant
Roger Munch – HR Coordinator (or “That Guy!”)
Geo Lynx – Construction
The CCC depends on community support … and in turn provides a creative space where community can thrive.
 | ||
| the Asheville Cesspool of Synths (tACoS) with artist-in-residence Walter Wright |
Comments
Post a Comment