Proposal Title
Fighting Against the Odds
Please describe your proposal?
To hold a fundraising event in order to raise awareness of the dangers and prevention of sexual assault/violent crimes, especially on college campuses. And simultaneously, create opportunities for other artists to sell and exhibit their work, while raising money for local non-profit organizations. The fundraiser will consist of an opening reception for a juried art exhibit, a silent auction, sales of raffle tickets for door prizes, and an admission fee to the event, followed by performances of local musicians. The theme for the exhibit, titled "Fighting Against the Odds", refers to the statistics of sexual assault, as well as the unlikelihood of Fine Art graduates sustaining themselves with only their sales of artwork (meaning not having a "day job", while they pursue their artistic dreams).
An open call to artists will go out to local art students and artists, in any medium, for both the exhibit and auction. “Fighting Against the Odds”, is a theme of overcoming obstacles, personal setbacks, and never giving up on dreams despite any hardships. Since creating art or expressing thoughts is proven to be good therapy for victims of trauma or violent crime, the aimed message is the prevention of these crimes through awareness and also help for those already victimized. The included support images are examples of my personal narratives and form of therapy found in my own artwork. I felt they were good examples of the exhibit theme.
If accepted to show work, the artists will receive 70% of their sales. The remaining 30% will be divided and donated to back to Couchfire Collective's grant fund for more opportunities such as this one. 15% will be donated to the grant funded Mount Carmel West Crime and Trauma Unit, to continue their mission to provide free help to victims and campus awareness for these crimes. The raffle tickets and door prizes will provide another way to raise money for the cause, divided among the two organizations also. Participating artists will receive free admission and exposure in the marketing of this event, plus their sales commission. Door prize donating artists and businesses will be allowed free admission and recognition in the marketing as well. Attendees will enjoy a positive opportunity to support the community, by purchasing artwork from local artists, enjoying a great atmosphere and food for a good cause, they will also have access to information on violent crimes and other resources for victims.
What is the timeframe for the proposal and its completion?
To have the most impact on the target group of incoming college freshmen for the awareness & prevention information, the event should be held in August or September 2010, to coincide with the orientation dates of local colleges. The planning of event logistics (location, catering, etc.) will be executed first. Then relationships between participating organizations will form and solidify through correspondence over time, concerning issues of call to artists, marketing, and/or volunteers for information booths. The call for entries and jury selections will be made over the summer before the event.
How will you use the award money to complete the proposal?
Once awarded the grant money, reservations for the location and catering will be booked first as to set the ball in motion for the project. And the grant money will be divided as follows:
*$700 for the cost of the event, including but not limited to: the event venue, catering, music/bands, exhibition materials, etc.
*$300 for the marketing and promotion of the event
What makes this the proposal to vote for?
This project provides a unique, symbiotic collaboration of organizations brought together by community goals of safety on campus and providing help & support to both local artists and/or victims of violent crimes. With the successful completion of the fundraiser, this project has the potential to occur as an annual fundraising event. It would continue to serve and benefit the multiple branches of our local art and college communities. With this plan, the grant money is geared to raise money for the next Couchfire Collective grant opportunity and to promote trauma help & awareness for better safety on our college campuses.
As an Ohio State University Alumni, a proud member of the local art community, and a survivor of a violent crime, I propose my opportunity to give something back to the non-profit organizations that changed my life for the better. Even though this project begins with wanting to raise money for a good cause, by its completion, many other groups of people get to take something from it. From a hand shake, meaning a potential collector of your artwork, to an art show, where you got the needed information to prevent a sexual assault. I am sure it will be a positive, rewarding experience for all of those involved with this project.
Support Images
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