MeaningMatters

http://bit.ly/dpdedI

Some good reminders for all of us in the second half of this article.

http://bit.ly/IFForum3

Two brief essays describe some ways to dig ourselves out of the mess we're in: Ten Things to Do in a Conceptual Emergency and Beyond Survival

Economies of Life describes the value of art as providing meaning in our lives. One of the best I've ever read.

Thanks again to Bill Usher from http://www.kickinghorseculture.ca/ for sending this on to me. Very clever message from the artist - could be easily sent along to various groups in a community. Strongly values based.

http://cocolovealcorn.com/newsletter/specialShow/5/touringPregnant.htm

I think that Massive Theatre Company in New Zealand may have pioneered the concept of Pay What it's Worth. This story is about a non-profit owned bakery that's following suit.

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/may/18/restaurant-takes-prices-off-menu/

Much has been written lately about the desire of participants to co-curate their own experience. This article suggests that many are going one step further to design their own clothing. What might this suggest for our work in the arts?

http://www.brandchannel.com/home/post/2010/05/17/Brands-Explore-Customization.aspx

My thanks to Bill Usher from Kicking Horse Culture in Golden BC for this post from D2D. www.kickinghorseculture.ca

WOW! We passed 5,000 Facebook fans over the weekend! Help us find our other “fans” on FB who we haven’t connected with yet and we’ll give you FREE STUFF!!!

Here’s the dillio: if we reach 7,500 FB fans by May 4th, the CND release date of our new album (Planet Electric), you will all (everywhere in the world!) receive a free download of the EP version of our new album, an unreleased Live video, AND an exclusive track (that won’t be released anywhere else!)!

To be fair, we have 3 targets for you to reach – all by May 4th! Each time you hit a target number you get something for free!

I just received the fabulous email below from the Ventura County Arts Council in California. It's an excellent way to raise funds in advance of the grants panel meeting, with the intention of giving more grants. I'm contributing $50 to this effort and am sending it out broadly so that you can send this out to your networks as an example of effective fundraising practice. If you or anyone in your networks would like to make a small donation of $5 or $10 or another amount as both a thank you for the idea and as a way to improve people's lives through the work of individual artists, that would be appreciated as well. To donate:

Those who taken my workshops will recall that I make many references to writings and research in social psychology. This recently published guide by the good people at Network for Good uses the term behavioral economics - to use behavioral sciences methods to encourage people to make economic decisions (like buying a ticket or making a donation).

They've titled it Homer Simpson for Nonprofits, The Truth about How People Really Think and What It Means for Promoting Your Cause. It's a easy read and covers many social psychology principles in a fun and informative way.

http://web.netw

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra encourages amateur/rusty musicians to play with them onstage.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/03/AR2010020303579.html

http://www.artsjournal.com/lifesapitch/2010/03/put-a-little-more-belle-jolie.html