feedback so far on the MSP docs

[Lucas Shapiro]

Hey guys!

I shared the two draft docs with folks about ranking space activities and looking at a sample week of programming.  I'm still waiting to hear back from Michelle, Sharon, Jan, Michael and Zakia, if they have time and interest to weigh in.

See you in a few!

DENISSE ANDRADE

My two cents  in a very rushed manner.

The events look awesome!  I was looking at the thread of comments, and I wanted to suggest the importance of making these sound like they are also social. The advantage of that framing is to ensure that theyare not perceived as additional work. Of course, its movement groundings would not be jeopardized, but I think a shift in language can be key in not making MSP just an event space for strategizing, but a space that nurtures movement building in a myriad of ways- socializing, being with one another as key components.  That us not to say that some events will be precisely that: how, when to organize, mobilize, etc,but there's something to be said about a political home that us intentional about the inclusion of new ways of organizing.

I've been thinking about an event that involves books- maybe a swap where there could be informal readings.  I think there's great value in programming that a structurally unstructured. Dies that make sense? Lets definitely hang out. Would love to talk more.

JILLIAN BUCKLEY

It was certainly a pleasure to meet you and eat your delicious soup! 

As for the activity ranking, I think it's a pretty thorough list. I could debate myself endlessly about the movement building potential of basically anything (and oftentimes the specifics, like in the case of talks/discussions, matter a lot), so I think when it comes to that question you just have aim for a combination of patience (to see if things take off) and flexibility (to recognize when they don't).

When it comes to the self-sustaining piece, it seems like you are going to have to look closely at the question of what will bring money in, with nothing being a sure bet. I question the high potential you've given to theatre/concerts. The theatre world is hugely dependent on funding outside of ticket sales, and if you want to keep it affordable and not exploit your artists/musicians it's hard to make a profit. I most definitely think theatre should happen there! But would just take it down at least a notch when you are trying to sort out what can be the financial backbone.

Have you heard of JACK? It's a theatre/community space in Clinton Hill. It occurs to me now that they might be good people to talk to, as they have spent the past year trying to figure out how to keep the space open/make it accessible to the local community/larger activist community. Let me know if I can connect you.

I'm also wondering what the legal issues are around formal/informal childcare. It seems crucial that this be offered in some capacity, despite its many dynamite sticks. 

The programming all looks amazing (this is all hypothetical, right? Or is that Urban Land Struggles discussion really happening!?)

I think with both this and the potential activities the location of the space matters a lot. If it is in Bushwick, I think there is a lot of potential for creating programming that connects long-term residents, young folks, and the gentrificos. Poetry workshops co-hosted by "page" and "stage" poets featuring readings by students from Bushwick community hs, dance parties w/ local hip hop artists, Spanish immersion groups led by neighborhood elders.

I realize this is also a space for bringing together a city-wide activist community, which I think is a very important function. I would just look to strike a balance with activities that can draw people into the space who are not part of that world. And then do some serious cross-promotion!

You've probably talked about this, but when it comes time to check in with the neighbors about their thoughts on the space it would be great to ask for their programming ideas.