Perigee is run by a core group of artist-members that are comfortable engaging in current art conversations. Membership will change every few years to avoid stagnancy, as it is expected that members “age out” and continue growing into bigger projects. The focus of artist-members should be larger than their individual arts in order to create a sense of community. Artist-members are not expected to
be current students, but preference is given to students and recently graduated. One of the most important aspects of Perigee is communication. The conversations that surround actions and artworks are just as important as the finished product. That will inspire others to step forward and take part. Formal meetings: Monthly meetings for artist-members will be held to address Perigee’s structure. Budgeting, programming, and membership will get reviewed and updated, if needed. This is a way to make sure the mission statement is still being upheld and to make sure the backbone of the space itself is considered and running efficiently. Most meetings will be closed and documentation shared with the community for further discussion. Open meetings will happen in order to allow proposals for projects, changes to the space, and fundraising ideas. Community meals: All are welcome to purchase tickets to a communal dinner cooked by a member of our community. Proceeds will be used to fund an upcoming event, host a visiting artist, or given to a member of the community that has pitched a project. This is the only event that will require an entrance fee in order to encourage as much participation as possible. Having community meals regularly is a way to keep conversations flowing without the stiffness of formal meetings. Open mics: Music, writings, and more can be played on speakers that broadcast inside and outside of Perigee, with the potential for a streaming online service down the road. Members sign up for a slot of time and bring their medium to share with others in the space. Skillshares: As young artists, we are interested in expanding our areas of expertise both in the way that we talk and the way that we work. Interested community members can propose teaching a skillshare class such as felting, dance, or writing and Perigee will help advertise and organize, as well as host the event. Lectures: Similar to skillshares, lectures give community members a place to speak. Artists and curators are invited to talk about their work and can be invited or sign up themselves. The focus will once again be on emerging artists, collaboration, and current issues. We hope that by highlighting artists that talk about interests that are still gaining traction it will bring awareness and conversations to our community. Because of the focus on upcoming artists and community, we would prefer not to charge for as many events as possible. Funding from community dinners, membership dues, and donations will help to partially pay for equipment rental and materials. Idealy, artists that give to Perigee’s community should be compensated for their time. That means inviting artists from outside of Virginia and helping to pay for their room, board, and travel fees. It also means paying artists for lectures and skillshares. This means that grants are first used to ensure that our event happens, are then distributed to the guest artists, and are lastly either put back into the next plan or maintaining the space.
