AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

In discussing my vision for AMP with ever-more people, I am continually refining and specifying it. We're having an event in Amsterdam (AMPsterdam?) on Friday, September 28. In writing to my co-organizer for this event, AMP member Paul van Dijk, I specified thus:

I see the website as only a beginning tool. There is a lot that can be done with the website, that much is clear already - it's a way for members to learn about each other and connect - eventually in real life too, post their art and their thoughts, post and learn about opportunites and events, learn about the world's art worlds...but the eventual goal is to have a physical AMP center (or affiliate) in every major center of the world (for some reason I have the number 30 in mind). Each center would have performance space, workshop space, gallery space, office space, and a kind of artists' hostel upstairs, where members could stay for short times while passing through, for either a nominal fee, or workshop instruction, art creation, maintenance of the center, and so on. If they need to stay longer, they can connect with other AMP members in the area - longer still, and they can be pointed to artist-friendly resources throughout the area. Each center would also be an information and networking hub for the area, connecting visiting artist members with other artists and arts communities in the area, as well as with the appropriate resources. The basic idea: when you fall into a new space, you don't fall hard on the ground - you are caught by a connecting web of fellow creatives - everywhere, really opening a world of art. That is what I'm trying to build from the ground up. The parties and ticketed events are to build community between members, raise AMP's profile, and gather more members and friends, not to mention have a good time. :D The website is a tool. The big idea is much, much bigger.

See you in AMS?

love,
Terri