SAS Artist Book Readings
Donation protected
WHAT IS IT?
The S Apostrophe S Artist Book Reading Series is a platform for artists who make books to read from and perform their own work. It’s like poetry readings, except for artist books. And by artist books we mean the expansive version(s) of the term: zines, limited editions, fine press, open edition artist books, visual poetry, comics, animations, digital art, hybrid media, etc., but all tied to a physical book, a “physical” “book,” or other publication.
We are excited about the idea of artist books readings because:
- Artist books are difficult to exhibit in a manner that is conducive to reading. Performative readings are an alternative exhibition format that addresses some of the shortcomings of gallery display.
- Readings could help drive distribution and sales alongside fairs and exhibitions. (Librarians, curators, and collectors-- this means we need your participation too! Readings will be an excellent opportunity to learn about and experience new books.)
- We believe that readings need to become a regular part of an artist book practice, just like they are for literary authors.
- Our hope for the SAS series is that it will encourage everyone in the field (artists, publishers, distros, libraries, book arts orgs, schools) to regularly host readings of their own and/or incorporate artist book makers into their already established literary readings.
- All of the SAS readings will be recorded and posted in a publicly accessible digital archive to be used as a resource for artists, educators, scholars, and really anyone that might be interested in the field.
- In addition to the archive of the SAS readings we also hope to put together a living history of artist book readings as a form and help to promote any readings organized by other folks.
- We believe that readings could expand the general audience for artist books by providing more public spaces to encounter and experience book objects.
WHO IS IT?
The readings are organized and curated by AB Gorham and Aaron Cohick. Readers are selected through open calls and are paid for their labor.
HOW DO I STAY IN TOUCH?
If you would like to hear about future readings and calls for readers you can sign up for our mailing list here: https://www.newlightspress.com/sas
THE PLAN
Our goal is to run the series for three years. This first year (2024) we will host two readings, and the next two years will have four readings each. After those three years we will assess if and how we want to continue (or if we want to pass the series on to a new team of organizers). Regardless of whether the reading series continues we will maintain the reading archive for as long as possible.
The $9,000 goal for this fundraiser will support all three years of the series. Our working budget for the series is:
YEAR ONE (2 readings)
Pro Zoom Account…………………….……..$171.20
Payments for Readers (first reading)...........$600 ($150 x 4 readers)
Payments for Readers (second reading).....$600
Payment for curators…………………………$400 ($200 each)
Website subscription…………………………$210
Total……………………………………………$1,981.70
YEARS TWO & THREE (4 readings each)
Pro Zoom Account…………………….……..$175 (increase expected)
Payments for Readers (first reading)...........$600 ($150 x 4 readers)
Payments for Readers (second reading).....$600
Payments for Readers (third reading)..........$600
Payments for Readers (fourth reading)........$600
Payment for curators…………………………$800 ($400 each)
Website subscription…………………………$210
Contingency…………………………………..$100
Total……………………………………………$3,685
Total for three years: $9,351.70
Est. credit card processing fees (2.29 + $0.30%): $412
Total to raise: $9,800. We have already been given a starter gift to fund the first reading from an anonymous donor, so we only need to raise $9,200 through this Gofundme!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Co-organizers (2)
Aaron Cohick
Organizer
Louisville, KY
AB Gorham
Co-organizer