My First Music Festival: A Change in the System
Donation protected
Thank you & welcome to ACITS!!!!
The Story
I [Shane Cloutier] have always had a passion for bringing people together to share a special experience. I get so much fulfillment out of sharing a moment as a makeshift community. Whether it was a class-wide game I organized in high school, a volunteer club I directed while studying in Norway, or a music discussion club I founded in college, I've always gotten so much fulfillment out of giving people a platform to express themselves and share experiences. A Change in the System (ACITS) is a culmination of all of these things put into a single event of my dreams! Around half a year ago, I graduated from college and I truly went deeply into pursuing something that I really believed in and loved. Looking back I can see that getting out of college gave me a new perspective on my future that I had been needing! Inspiration and passion had been strangers to me for a while back then and my goal is to never let that happen again. I have been in love with music since the first time I can remember my parents playing me The Beatles in our minivan when I was just forming my first memories as a child. This is why I have been looking for a way to make music a large part of my life and future career. You see, I never fell in love with any instruments and I don’t feel like my place is on the stage so for a while now I’ve been searching for “my place” in music. After great lengths of introspection and trying new career paths I can say that I have found that a music festival is something I can truly be passionate about and get behind whole-heartedly! I don’t just want this festival to be about music and fun, I want it to be more than that and I want it to have a large scope to positively impact as many people and systems as possible. That is why I have come up with the festival plan that I will describe throughout this small novel I am writing (I apologize if you do not enjoy reading).
I have now been planning and organizing a budget, possible locations, musical acts, businesses partners, and other artists to work with for ‘A Change in the System’. After getting all of these things organized I now have the massive task of FUNDRAISING. Now, I can say that no matter what there will be a music festival next summer, but in order to reach the capacity and fulfill the potential of what I am envisioning I am not capable of funding this by myself. This is where I need the most support. Myself and my friends who will be building this festival with me all need your help to turn this into a reality and I would love for you all to be a part of ACITS in as many ways as possible. This festival is all about love, expression, and individuality because to me those are what make music so special. I want to thank you all for being a part of this and know that any donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to create a very special moment in time.
About the name
ACITS‘s name takes inspiration from a therapy session that I recently had. In this session my therapist and I discussed the roles that I play in every relationship whether it is in friendships, romantic relationships, or familial relationships. In each relationship there is a system that the two people involved have created. If one of these relationships are suffering then a change is needed. In order to spur this change, then all you must do is be the change in the system.
ACITS is applying this theory to the whole world: By not reacting with hate, anger, or fear and instead reacting with love and positive intention then the system WILL change. It may sound too simplistic but that is because it IS simplistic. All of these things are truly just a choice that can be difficult at times but are still possible.
Now how are these values going to be implemented into ACITS, you ask? This is what myself and everyone involved are most excited about!
WHAT TO EXPECT
DAY OF
Music
-The artists that will be playing at ACITS will be paving the way for the future either in terms of sound, subject matter, style, or a combination of all three. These artists will be the foundation and cornerstone of this festival. This is where ALLLLL the magic happens!
Poetry
-Music will not be the only aspect of expression at ACITS. Stay tuned!
Activisism
-ACITS is designed to give a platform for those looking to better the world. We are currently looking for speakers who inspire,love, and build up their communities so that we can give them a chance to spread their message. From sexuality to gender equality, and animal rights, ACITS is always looking to give positive movements an extra platform.
PARTNERED COMPANIES & SPONSORS
All partnered companies will be known for their ethical business practices and products/services. We are reaching out to both nonprofits and for-profit organizations to give advertising opportunities, merchandise sales opportunities, and also speaking opportunities during the festival. We want the companies we work with to take themselves and their impact on the world as seriously as we do.
Some of the companies we have reached out to so far include: JUST Water, United by Blue, The Pride Foundation, Equality PA and the list will keep growing throughout the year.
ENVIRONMENTALISM
On September 3rd, 2019 we will be donating 5% of the money raised by this campaign so far to the Amazon Conservation Association to help protect the Amazon Rainforest. This organization lists exactly what the money we donate will be used for. Search "The Amazon rainforest is on fire: What's happening and how you can help" to find more ways to protect our planet.
-Printing clothing through Recover Brand (t-shirts are made from 100% recycled material and a portion of profits are also used to build up the communities in Guatemala & Haiti)
-No unnecessary printing: brochures and schedules will be electronic
-All festival posters will be made from recycled materials
-All vendors will be held to a fair trade, sustainability, high ethical standard
-Composting all food waste (this will have to wait to be implemented in the coming years when ACITS is outdoors)
-We have a goal to be waste-free by 2022 which we will need your help with in the future!
SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Our goal is to add radical kindness, inspiration, and love into our social media content. Stay tuned for our content to come!
MUCH MORE TO COME! We are not trying to spoil all that is in store.
OUR EXPENSES
Artist booking prices (lineup to be announced 4 months before festival): $24,500
1-Day Venue Rental: $22,000
Event Insurance: $352
Merchandise production: $3,000
Website URL: $15
Recyclable Festival Posters: $400
Catered food for artists: $350
Social Media Ads: $250
2.9% GoFundMe Processing Fee: $1,402
Donation to Amazon
Total: $52,269
IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS OWNER AND WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT OUR SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES OR POSSIBLY BECOMING A VENDOR THEN PLEASE EMAIL US AT:[email redacted]
DONOR PERKS (Optional)
**to claim any perks stated simply email us your name and donation amount @ [email redacted] and we will get everything in order. If you thought of any perks that we have not stated then we will be happy to try to accommodate.
$25 - Receive an animated ‘thank you’ video created by our team members Liza Aleinikova and Patrick Toohey
$50 - Name included on our online sponsor banner to be posted on our socials (on top of all perks before)
$100 - a free copy of our ACITS documentary will be sent to you (on top of all perks before)
$250 - Name included on our physical ‘Sponsors’ banner at ACITS Music Festival (on top of all perks before)
$500 - a free ‘ACITS 2020’ t-shirt (on top of all perks before)
$1,000 - A personal ‘thank you’ given during our opening words on the day of the festival in front of the attendees at ACITS (on top of all perks before)
$1,500 - an invite to be a featured actor in our promotional video teasers (on top of all perks before)
$2,000 - a free ticket and access to hangout backstage with the organizers and watch the festival from backstage (retail value under $100)
The amount of money raised in our first year will dictate most of the capabilities and size of ACITS. Less money will mean less artists, a smaller music venue, less merchandise produced, and less money to be paid to artists. This is not seen as a complete downside because we will still be operating the same no matter what amount of money is raised.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU TOOK THE TIME OUT OF YOUR LIFE TO SUPPORT ‘A CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM’ !
The Story
I [Shane Cloutier] have always had a passion for bringing people together to share a special experience. I get so much fulfillment out of sharing a moment as a makeshift community. Whether it was a class-wide game I organized in high school, a volunteer club I directed while studying in Norway, or a music discussion club I founded in college, I've always gotten so much fulfillment out of giving people a platform to express themselves and share experiences. A Change in the System (ACITS) is a culmination of all of these things put into a single event of my dreams! Around half a year ago, I graduated from college and I truly went deeply into pursuing something that I really believed in and loved. Looking back I can see that getting out of college gave me a new perspective on my future that I had been needing! Inspiration and passion had been strangers to me for a while back then and my goal is to never let that happen again. I have been in love with music since the first time I can remember my parents playing me The Beatles in our minivan when I was just forming my first memories as a child. This is why I have been looking for a way to make music a large part of my life and future career. You see, I never fell in love with any instruments and I don’t feel like my place is on the stage so for a while now I’ve been searching for “my place” in music. After great lengths of introspection and trying new career paths I can say that I have found that a music festival is something I can truly be passionate about and get behind whole-heartedly! I don’t just want this festival to be about music and fun, I want it to be more than that and I want it to have a large scope to positively impact as many people and systems as possible. That is why I have come up with the festival plan that I will describe throughout this small novel I am writing (I apologize if you do not enjoy reading).
I have now been planning and organizing a budget, possible locations, musical acts, businesses partners, and other artists to work with for ‘A Change in the System’. After getting all of these things organized I now have the massive task of FUNDRAISING. Now, I can say that no matter what there will be a music festival next summer, but in order to reach the capacity and fulfill the potential of what I am envisioning I am not capable of funding this by myself. This is where I need the most support. Myself and my friends who will be building this festival with me all need your help to turn this into a reality and I would love for you all to be a part of ACITS in as many ways as possible. This festival is all about love, expression, and individuality because to me those are what make music so special. I want to thank you all for being a part of this and know that any donation is greatly appreciated and will be used to create a very special moment in time.
About the name
ACITS‘s name takes inspiration from a therapy session that I recently had. In this session my therapist and I discussed the roles that I play in every relationship whether it is in friendships, romantic relationships, or familial relationships. In each relationship there is a system that the two people involved have created. If one of these relationships are suffering then a change is needed. In order to spur this change, then all you must do is be the change in the system.
ACITS is applying this theory to the whole world: By not reacting with hate, anger, or fear and instead reacting with love and positive intention then the system WILL change. It may sound too simplistic but that is because it IS simplistic. All of these things are truly just a choice that can be difficult at times but are still possible.
Now how are these values going to be implemented into ACITS, you ask? This is what myself and everyone involved are most excited about!
WHAT TO EXPECT
DAY OF
Music
-The artists that will be playing at ACITS will be paving the way for the future either in terms of sound, subject matter, style, or a combination of all three. These artists will be the foundation and cornerstone of this festival. This is where ALLLLL the magic happens!
Poetry
-Music will not be the only aspect of expression at ACITS. Stay tuned!
Activisism
-ACITS is designed to give a platform for those looking to better the world. We are currently looking for speakers who inspire,love, and build up their communities so that we can give them a chance to spread their message. From sexuality to gender equality, and animal rights, ACITS is always looking to give positive movements an extra platform.
PARTNERED COMPANIES & SPONSORS
All partnered companies will be known for their ethical business practices and products/services. We are reaching out to both nonprofits and for-profit organizations to give advertising opportunities, merchandise sales opportunities, and also speaking opportunities during the festival. We want the companies we work with to take themselves and their impact on the world as seriously as we do.
Some of the companies we have reached out to so far include: JUST Water, United by Blue, The Pride Foundation, Equality PA and the list will keep growing throughout the year.
ENVIRONMENTALISM
On September 3rd, 2019 we will be donating 5% of the money raised by this campaign so far to the Amazon Conservation Association to help protect the Amazon Rainforest. This organization lists exactly what the money we donate will be used for. Search "The Amazon rainforest is on fire: What's happening and how you can help" to find more ways to protect our planet.
-Printing clothing through Recover Brand (t-shirts are made from 100% recycled material and a portion of profits are also used to build up the communities in Guatemala & Haiti)
-No unnecessary printing: brochures and schedules will be electronic
-All festival posters will be made from recycled materials
-All vendors will be held to a fair trade, sustainability, high ethical standard
-Composting all food waste (this will have to wait to be implemented in the coming years when ACITS is outdoors)
-We have a goal to be waste-free by 2022 which we will need your help with in the future!
SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Our goal is to add radical kindness, inspiration, and love into our social media content. Stay tuned for our content to come!
MUCH MORE TO COME! We are not trying to spoil all that is in store.
OUR EXPENSES
Artist booking prices (lineup to be announced 4 months before festival): $24,500
1-Day Venue Rental: $22,000
Event Insurance: $352
Merchandise production: $3,000
Website URL: $15
Recyclable Festival Posters: $400
Catered food for artists: $350
Social Media Ads: $250
2.9% GoFundMe Processing Fee: $1,402
Donation to Amazon
Total: $52,269
IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS OWNER AND WOULD LIKE TO INQUIRE ABOUT OUR SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES OR POSSIBLY BECOMING A VENDOR THEN PLEASE EMAIL US AT:[email redacted]
DONOR PERKS (Optional)
**to claim any perks stated simply email us your name and donation amount @ [email redacted] and we will get everything in order. If you thought of any perks that we have not stated then we will be happy to try to accommodate.
$25 - Receive an animated ‘thank you’ video created by our team members Liza Aleinikova and Patrick Toohey
$50 - Name included on our online sponsor banner to be posted on our socials (on top of all perks before)
$100 - a free copy of our ACITS documentary will be sent to you (on top of all perks before)
$250 - Name included on our physical ‘Sponsors’ banner at ACITS Music Festival (on top of all perks before)
$500 - a free ‘ACITS 2020’ t-shirt (on top of all perks before)
$1,000 - A personal ‘thank you’ given during our opening words on the day of the festival in front of the attendees at ACITS (on top of all perks before)
$1,500 - an invite to be a featured actor in our promotional video teasers (on top of all perks before)
$2,000 - a free ticket and access to hangout backstage with the organizers and watch the festival from backstage (retail value under $100)
The amount of money raised in our first year will dictate most of the capabilities and size of ACITS. Less money will mean less artists, a smaller music venue, less merchandise produced, and less money to be paid to artists. This is not seen as a complete downside because we will still be operating the same no matter what amount of money is raised.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU TOOK THE TIME OUT OF YOUR LIFE TO SUPPORT ‘A CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM’ !
Organizer
Shane Cloutier
Organizer
New Hope, PA
