OurGoods: a community bartering initiative

OurGoods.org, a barter network for the creative community, is celebrating its launch with a series of live barter matchmaking events co-sponsored by several major NYC arts service institutions in November. OurGoods helps performing and visual artists, designers and craftspeople get their creative projects done in a community that runs on mutual respect. The site matches barter partners, provides accountability tools, and offers technical assistance resources. It is an instigator for generosity, a locus of empowerment, and an innovative model for supporting the work of artists.

The site lists resources members are willing to share ranging from sound design to carpentry, from embossing equipment to language coaching, from babysitting to a ’98 Corolla. Members are looking for marketing help, performance venue research, web design, a sailboat, yoga lessons, and a quiet writing space, among other things.

The November live barter events are an opportunity to meet potential barter partners in person. Each event starts with an optional workshop to help participants get their Needs and Haves organized. The workshop is followed by a networking session in which OurGoods founders will map the Needs and Haves in the room and connect potential barter matches.

OurGoods event schedule

Saturday, November 6 at Dance Theater Workshop, 219 West 19th Street, Manhattan. 3pm Barter, a Budget Supplement (workshop), 4pm Live Barter Matchmaking. This event is part of The Field’s ERPA Open Source series. Co-sponsored by The Field, DTW, Movement Research, and Dance/NYC.

Sunday, November 7 at WOW Café Theater, 59 East 4th Street. 12pm Self Producing 101 (workshop), 1pm Live Barter Matchmaking. Co-sponsored by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, HERE Arts Center, Fourth Arts Block and Dixon Place.

Saturday, November 13 at the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, 323 West 39th Street, 2nd Floor. 3pm Idea Party (workshop), 4pm Live Barter Matchmaking. Co-sponsored by Exit Art, The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, Smack Mellon Studios, LES Printshop, and F.E.A.S.T.

Sunday November 14 at Brooklyn Arts Exchange, 421 5th Avenue, Brooklyn. 12pm Self Producing 101 (workshop), 1pm Live Barter Matchmaking. Co-sponsored by Brooklyn Arts Exchange and Brooklyn Arts Council.

For more information about OurGoods.org and to get involved, click here.