3rd Ward!

     Aspiring artists Jeremy and Jason decided to combat the overwhelmingly high prices of creative resources in NYC by starting a small tool/space sharing system within a group of friends in 2004 and then scaling up to offer this opportunity for other artists as well by renting 2 floors of warehouse space.
     Currently with a membership of 800 creative professionals, there are several photo sets, one large wood/metal workshop, one jewelry workshop, one computer lab, several rooms for dedicated workspace, hallway for drop-in workspace, one coffee area, one refrigerator, lots of lockers, several cool vintage couches, and more woodwork/metal shop space is being created on the 2nd floor. There is also an exhibition space for promoting/showcasing different artists/members with publicity/recognition every month (?), though, that is being renovated into a cafe for the members and for the local community (since the area is an IBZ, industrial business zone, without much commercial diversity). Over 150 classes from beginner to advanced crafts are offered to both nonmembers and members. There are several types of memberships, ranging from having just discounts ($49/month) to unlimited use ($399/month) of all the materials, classes, personal workspaces, lockers, etc. Free lime green bike and coffee for all members!
     3rd Ward is affiliated with many outside organizations like local lumberyards, Etsy, etc. so that is where they get many of their materials and events. Aside from the obvious financial/environmental advantages of sharing workspaces and materials/tools, more abstract benefits include the vast networking possibilities and finding all kinds of creative people to collaborate and hire/do work for within the 3rd Ward community.
     The space changes with the expressed needs/desires of the members. There used to be a recording studio and yoga room, but members wanted more metal/wood workshop space instead so that's what was provided. The next step is to hopefully figure out how to help member artists actually enter the market and sell the works they create from using the tools and materials of 3rd Ward.

GROUP CONSTITUTION

October 14, 2010

We are all under contract to be responsive to each other; below is our collective contact info

CINDY                                         synthetic.poetry@gmail.com

RENA                     917-443-6181

SEETA                   631-258-6168, s.kanhai@gmail.com

GEOFFREY             201-289-7609 , geoffreynurse@gmail.com

KASIA                    347-604-3929, suskakasia@gmail.com

v        Group members are responsible for meeting set deadlines

v        Scheduled meetings should not be ignored

v        If a member fails to fulfill responsibilities, three days amnesty will be granted, and if responsibilities are still not met, a three strike system will be implemented-

·       Failing to attend a meeting, not completing work, perhaps even being unresponsive could all be cause for a strike.

·       BY THE THIRD STRIKE, THAT PERSON WILL BE                         REMOVED FROM THE GROUP.

PROCEDURE FOR MODIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

v if feeling overwhelmed, a group member can certainly contact the other group members to ask that someone help with the work load- GROUP MEMBERS MUST BE CONTACTED ATLEAST 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE

       -there is a limit of 2 times that this can be done. We all have busy and        demanding schedules, and it is not fair that the rest of the group   should have to bear more responsibilities more than 2 times per person.

v other changes should be brought to the attention of the whole group, and everyone must agree on the changes.

- to make these changes, the whole group should be notified by email, and the change will be voted on at the next group meeting- in class, over skype or otherwise.