SAGA

SPONSORS

 Our Sponsors 

Sponsors and links to their organizations will be posted here soon. 

A list of things we need will be updated here regularly. Each project listed below is open for sponsorship. If your business, organization, or individual would like to sponsor one of our projects, we will credit you for your contribution and link back to your website. Any videos created of the project will also include information about your business so our viewers can find you and return support to you.
Contributions are tax-exempt for donation to 501 (c) (3) non profit.

• How Will We Use Funds and Resources?

Our objectives for 2020 include several projects that need funding. We are thrilled to receive sponsors for any of them, and happy to put a plaque on the structure to display who sponsored it's construction.

The cost estimates may seem low on some categories, because we are basing them off the liquidation prices we often see for furnishings, fixtures and finishing materials like paint and flooring, etc. We try to use reclaimed materials, discounted and recycled items as much as possible and this not only makes the budget go further, but promotes a green philosophy as well.

We want to make a difference! We established relationships with many large retailers to help them with asset liquidation so less goes to landfills and more items find a use in the community. Green practices matter to us, so we foster ideas that reduce waste and make creative use of available assets that others have discarded. After all, we're artists; another man's junk is an artists treasure chest of creative materials!

Below are the projects that seek funding for completion:

Project 1. SEPTIC SYSTEM *critical element

While most of our facilities will be off-grid and most toilet systems will be composting in nature, we also need at least one septic system on the premises for a community bath house. We estimate the costs of putting in a septic system to be about $7,000

Project 1. FRESH WATER WELL with solar pump *critical element

The rural nature of the location will require that the resort have its own water source. A community well that provides clean water is essential for hygiene, health and survival.  A well with solar pump is estimated to cost $15,000

Project 3. SOLAR BATH HOUSE *critical element

A community utility house to run higher voltage for laundry appliances, hot showers, and eco-flushing toilets. We aim to build a bath house to accommodate special guests and transient artisans to be able to do laundry, to shower all year round, and to access a flushing toilet. We estimate the costs for a completed bath house to run about $20,000.

Concrete Pad: $3,000
12x36 Shelled-in building lofted cabin (delivered- we build out): $9,000
Washer & Dryer stack unit for laundry utility access: $800
Plumbing, insulation, furnishings, fixtures, finishing materials: $2000
County permits and other required signage: $200
$5,000 Solar technology to run all the appliances.


Project 4. SUSTAINABLE COTTAGES

Our objective is to build about 20 little eco-cottage-studios for artist; all with access to a community kitchen & shower.  We're seeking sponsors for each one. Some of them will be built from scratch with a mix of materials new and reclaimed. Others can be built-out from shelled pre-fab buildings. We are near several small building dealers and they occasionally have discounted repos that can be delivered and installed quickly at discounted prices. Furnishing them on a tight budget is easy because of our access to liquidated housewares. So these cabins will be fully furnished for guests.

Each cottage can be built and furnished for about $3,000

micro cottage building materials $2,000
furnishings  $500
Solar pack $500

No permits needed for any structures under 200 sq ft.

Project 5. SOLAR POWERED OFF-GRID STAGE FOR PERFORMING ARTS

The objective is to build a new stage with solar roof so lighting and PA System can be supported completely by solar power.  There is a need for gravel to repair the drive up to the stage for easy load-in and load out-for bands and performing artists. The stage design includes a 'green room' for performers to prepare for performances, and a tech room for storing music gear in between performances.

The stage cost estimates $20,000:

Gravel and concrete $1,500

Metal covered stage construction: $10,000

Solar technology: $3,000
Low wattage PA System and lighting: $4,000
Permits and business signage: $500
Stage supplies and green room furnishings: $1,500

Project 6. EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS: CREATIVE SUSTAINABILITY

Objective to release regularly scheduled educational videos to document our sustainable projects and share with the public at large. Videos are to be made available to the public for free and so we will rely on sponsors for funding to pay video editors and camera operators. The videos will help drive tourism to the resort and bring exposure to artists we feature. We have access to many filmmakers in our community seeking for contracts, and we have access to several well-known local celebrity influencers who could collaborate with us regularly for added exposure from their networks.

To start, we're looking for funding to cover at least twelve documentary how-to style videos, released throughout the year (about one a month). Each video would feature a different project that outlines creative building projects, technology testing, art-with-a-purpose, and up-cycle projects that encourage recycling and reducing carbon footprint. Additionally, some short quick-tip videos may be released to maintain interest between feature films.

Our pilot show had an organic reach without any advertising at all and still managed to get tens of thousands of views. These videos will also drive tourism to the rural resort and encourage community networking.

The cost of each video to be fully produced and release for free viewing is about $500 each. A full season (12 episodes) could be produced for only $6,000 and will amass potentially hundreds of thousands, or millions of views. These are extremely low prices but it gives us enough budget to contract a small crew. It could present opportunities to new college students coming out of school looking for opportunities to grow with, or supplemental income for other local struggling filmmakers. The objective is that within a year, the videos will generate enough of a following that they will begin to draw their own sponsors to fund improvements which will create more jobs. With the built in fan-base that our influencers already have, our new show should take off quickly.

A boost in funding source would have an extended impact on our artistic community, and to anyone in the world inspired by the educational content we create. Part of the film crew and video co-hosts we have access to are celebrities/influencers on YouTube and Social Media with millions of subscribers, so the possibility to cross promote and collaborate with many established YouTube channels and Facebook/Instagram Content Creators is strong.

Cost per Episode: $500 x 12 episodes in a season = $6,000
Camera Operator: $50
Host: $50
Co-host: $50
Video editor: $100
Equipment: $100
Wardobe/Make-up: $25
Craft services: $50
Crew Extras/Assistants: $75

Project 7: DOWN PAYMENT Acquisition of land $20,000 ***** Critical Element

We've an opportunity to purchase 40 beautiful acres directly from the owner. What a rare opportunity! Deed for contract is rare. We need a down payment of $20,000 to make this dream a reality. 

The land is within minutes of historic downtown Eureka Springs, AR. We're minutes from beautiful lakes, rivers and vacation resorts and tucked into an unrestricted area surrounded by national forests. 

More traffic means more jobs and more opportunities for creative expression. A down payment would give us immediate access, and from there the community can manage reasonable payments each moth with membership dues.

Description of End Goal

Ultimately, we are artists. Freedom of expression and a stable environment for creative work is important to a productive creative lifestyle. To keep creative flow rich, artists perform better when they are not starving or stressed out about housing. We want to be surrounded by a world of art where there is freedom to be expressive where there is enough peace and quiet to facilitate the state most artists need to maintain a state of creativity. In larger cities, there are so many distractions, and restrictions by architectural committees and home owners associations that there are cookie cutter homes as far as the eye can see. Many artists struggle to afford standardized housing on their creative income. How many artists are ruined working a 9 to 5 job that is not creative, just to pay rent in standard housing that doesn't feed their creative needs or their bellies? And then there's no energy or inspiration left for creative work.

For artists who need more color and variety in their surroundings, cookie cutter life is not a healthy environment for fostering creativity. Many artists find that it is easier to be inspired in a community where expression is not inhibited by left brained minds who often sit at the head of city planning committees. Artists need more districts where they can be free to create together in working communities and break away from the norms of conventional urban development.

People need to be able to feed themselves, to provide for themselves, and to be true to their nature before they can evolve to be their best. Many urban areas do not facilitate the ability for people to access earth for gardening. One or two plants in an apartment complex does not equate to the joy of stepping out into a lush garden or abundant green house filled with food and flowers. It is truly healing. Our community is built around nature with sustainability in mind. We incorporate permaculture into the design of the resort so food and wildlife can thrive in the same place where people work and play. There are community gardens, raised gardens, greenhouses, and wild edibles. The idea is to build small dwellings that are comfortable, beautiful in their construction, each one unique, powered with renewable energy, able to sustain it's occupants with food, and something so extraordinary that people who live in boring cookie-cutter cities will drive for hours to experience.

When artists work in close-knit communities, the most amazing ideas can be realized! We are fortunate to have found land with rural RV zoning which allows for alternative lifestyles and alternative dwellings to be erected that have no zoning appropriation as in larger towns. Artists can express themselves here! A healing retreat for any imagination that needs a boost. Of course, we will follow building standards to ensure safety and lasting quality and craftsmanship.

Imagine if every metropolis zoned a space for artists communities! Where codes are only for safety and otherwise there is no limit to the artistic expression of any structure erected. There could be a faerie tree house constructed next to a bush craft A frame, or a paisley yurt next to a tiny little stone castle. Each design completely original, decked with the latest green technology, and all on a micro scale to reduce carbon footprint and reduce the depletion of natural resources. Each surrounded by gardens, lit paths that have motion detectors to save energy- so as you walk the trails cut through the forest, they automatically light your path and turn off after you pass. Music floats on the breeze by the WiFi connected wireless surround sound solar-powered speakers that can be synced to a device's Bluetooth. 

Most of our events are to be all-ages and open to the public. They generally have a theme, pageantry, live performing arts, games, activities, attractions, crafters, food, local community mom n pop business to business and traveling artists/vendors from other areas. In between events, we focus on liquidations/recyling, creating odd jobs for artists in between gigs, building the resort, adding infrastructure, and tending the land.

Sure, there are a lot of 'hippie-like' artist communes who have created sustainable farms that are good for the earth, but our project stands out for several reasons:

1. Most sustainable 'communities' are not open to the public. They host residency for a few families or artists but generally do not welcome outsiders. Some of our dwellings will not have permanent tenancy, and therefore open to the public and anyone can experience them during seasonal openings! Some of our structures may be temporarily housing working artists, and others will be open for AirBNB and event guests.

2. Many sustainable communities are 'primitive' in their set-up for the sake of functionality only. We have embraced the Bauhaus philosophy that 'form follows function'. In other words, we think useful things should also look fabulous. Sure, a bucket painted black with a hole poked in it makes a solar shower, but we believe it should look like art AND be useful. So we are not building just a 'common' camp ground. We want to provide a refreshing and inspiring experience that fosters revolutionary ideas. Everything we build will have an artist's touch.

3. Many sustainable communities are too caught up in cult-like activities or dominated by a religious sect that blur the lines of church and state. We are an educational charitable entity that supports constitutional rights, equal opportunity, and we keep our events generally separate from any kind of dogma or religious associations. We want anyone from any walk of life to feel welcome here.

4. Most sustainable communities have no built-in economy to support its residents. Many are filled with people who generally want to be separate from society at large and the community is often more of an escape from responsibility to society. Our community is focused on co-operating and trading with society at large and more of an escape for our guests to be thrilled and inspired by something out of the ordinary! We welcome the public and their tourism dollars which help our community thrive. Between events, there are odd jobs for our artists. Tax revenues generated by our events which goes beyond our local community.