Sometimes supporting the arts can seem like a job that only the wealthiest or most connected members of society can participate in. Thanks to the new East Lansing Sunday Soup series at
(Scene) Metrospace, everyone with five dollars and an interest in the arts can help fund the great ideas of local artists.
“
Sunday Soup is, essentially, an art micro-grant funding model,” says East Lansing Sunday Soup founder and (Scene) Metrospace volunteer Luke Hackney. “It’s a fundraiser where one Sunday month people can gather to share a meal and vote on proposals for artists projects.”
While the model is new to the Lansing area, Sunday Soup is a concept practiced in cities across the US. Hackney brought the concept to East Lansing, with the memory of the Sunday Soup model founder Ben Schaafsma in mind. Schaafsma was founding member of both the original Sunday Soup events at Chicago’s InCUBATE and the Sunday Soup at the DAAC in Grand Rapids.
“It draws on the entrepreneurial spirit,” says Hackney. “I like the idea of getting together and doing something creative, and helping something creative happen.”
The first East Lansing Sunday Soup will take place on March 18. Lunch will be followed by presentations of artists’ proposals. The proposal with the most votes will receive all of the proceeds from the event to bring their idea to life.
Sunday Soup is open to artists and projects of all genres. Proposals may be sent to Hackney at luke@retroduck.com.
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