We've been asked about what BM does to help us.... Here's a Summary...

Last year representatives from different Large Scale Sound & Art Camps (LSSACs) such as the Opulent Temple, El Circo, the Deep End, Green Gorilla, and others talked and met with reps from Burning Man to dialogue about ways BM could support us. Here is a summary of that effort and more recent ones, if you're curious. Sorry about the length, but wanted to give a fair accounting of events and perspectives. Feel free to share. We are not posting this to cause a ruckus, but simply to inform the community. There has been misinformation floating around about these conversations, and that BM decided to give us some things we asked for. We wish it were true. This summary also under scores how the support of camps like the OT have to come pretty much soley from the community. (read on...)

The premise was basically that collectively we've felt like we give a lot to the event. Which, of course, is fine; it's why we started creating such camps in the first place. But - we hoped we might get more support and resources from the BM org to do what we do since it is our perception the role of the Large Scale Sound & Art Camps has evolved to be an integral part of a large number of attendee's experience and reason for coming. (Obviously we know this is a matter of debate...) BM decides to grant thousands of dollars per year to certain art pieces, what, if anything, would they be willing to help us with? We knew there was no way we'd get direct funding, so...

Last year we asked for 5 things

1. The ability to apply for art grants. At the time of the meeting it was too late for the '07 event. Harley said to ask again next year, which we did. More on that below...

2. An allotment of free or discounted tickets to the core builders of established LSSACs. Harley said she'd think about it, and then asked me to turn in a proposal of sorts for why we think we deserved some (us as in specifically the Opulent Temple). We did so, and the final answer was still no, though she did give the OT 2 tickets as a good will gesture, which were appreciated.

3. For BM to provide at their expense 2 large generators, one for 2:00 and one for 10:00, that multiple LSSACs could tie into, -and / or - for fuel or cabling cost support. The answer was no, though we did get the name of the vendor BM used in the hopes of getting in on a bulk deal. This ended up not a big asset, as I don't think we got any kind of bulk discount from the vendor, we just dealt with them directly.

4. Increased access to Art Services resources on playa. This was a yes, and was helpful to some camps, including the Opulent Temple.

5. If it ever came up, the ability for donators to LSSACs to donate through BM's 501c so they can get a tax break. This was a no, due to the specific mission of the 501 (BRAF) being for art off playa, not on.

So........

This year we reinitiated the conversation on items 1, 2 & 3. Here's what happened.

Re: #1 We wrote a proposal to the Board, per Harley's request on opening up the art grant process to camps on the Esplanade and 10 & 2, with the argument being that, because of their location, they were in the public domain, and the public would be able to have access to the (potentially) greater art because they were supported by increased funding. This was not just about the Sound Camps. The proposal was to open up the current application process to these camps, not an increase in funding or special category or considerations, etc.

Harley supported the idea, (and we thank her for that !) and presented it to the Board, and her initial response back to us to the first round of discussions was that the proposal sparked a good discussion, our points were well taken and valid, and the outcome looked good so far...

They were even discussing a separate funding stream and application deadline for us. It all looked rosy....

Then Larry got back from a trip (he was not present at the first discussion) and jettisoned the idea because he didn't like it. He personally called me (Syd) to tell me why, the best summary I can give is he didn't like complicating things by changing the policy (grants only for art on the open playa). Nor did they want to deal with community reaction about why now some camps could apply and others could not. He said if a theme camp has a piece on the open playa they can apply, but they don't want to consider to fund art pieces within a camp's area. He didn't like the idea of increasing the budget so they could fund some theme camp art (even though we never asked the art grant budget be increased), he didn't like the messiness it would introduce with other theme camps complaining they couldn't apply, and related community reaction of people saying “why them and not us?” These are perfectly valid reasons, but given the whole picture they seem like weak ones. Do they seem strong to you? We didn't ask for anything other than the chance to apply to the current system (and budget). Upon being asked, he stated he personally values our existence and contribution to the event and thinks the org should be open to discussing ways to help us. He also said he had not been to a dance camp in years, and had never seen the OT for example, at night. He accepted our invitation to come see it this year... The Opulent Temple, because the dance floor sits on the open playa, applied for an art grant for a new piece we're creating. Our application was denied. (We got a nice call from Lady Bee that there were 171 applicants and 40 pieces funded, and ours didn't quite make the cut....)

#2. Wrote a proposal to Terry and Harley, per Harley's request, to create a mechanism by which established sound camps could apply for some free or discounted tickets for the core builders. We asked for a meeting to discuss it with us. They said they'd rather handle it over e mail, and the answer was no. They encouraged individual core builders of established sound camps to use the existing system of applying for scholarship / low income tickets already in place. http://tickets.burningman.com/#lowincome

We feel this totally misses the point.

#3 Re: any help / subsidy with power, cabling, and or gas. The answer was no, because that goes against radical self reliance.

Terry (Harley's assistant in Theme Camp issues who wrote the response) also made a point to highlight the "resource taxing" we impose on the event because of the MOOP created in our areas (especially the 2 corner camps) and the cost to them of giving us equipment help.

So there you have it.

Some closing thoughts:

We understand that in one light, as BM will say, they are taking the proper course, given their mission. (Which is throwing primarily an 'art event', and music is not art they care to fund, even though we weren't asking to fund our music, or anything related to it, just the chance to apply for art pieces within the area where music might be happening.) But, we feel there is a simplistic constriction of what falls in that mission and what does not. BM decides to offer support to some art because it enhances the event, makes it great, and worthy of attendance, and because as mentioned they want to throw primarily an art event. Not surprisingly, we (the LSSACs) think that what we do also enhances the event, makes it great, and worthy of attendance, and because more importantly, much of what we do IS ART.

Of course, BM has every right to make the distinction of where their resources go. But it also seems part of the mission to be a community driven event, in which they set up the infrastructure for creativity to blossom and the community comes and fills it. We feel our contribution to that endeavor is significant enough to warrant some more support. Given the amount of community participation you see at BM at camps like the LSSACs, and community support all year round, it's clear that a significant percentage of the community really supports what we do. Does Burning Man ultimately belong to the Board / LLC, or the community, and they are the Stewards? If the former (which by all indications seems the case), well not much more to discuss, we can bugger off, because they can take us or leave us. If the latter, then when the community's support is not met by the org's support, we feel they end up looking stingy and out of touch. We know many of the org, they're not stingy people at all, they're great, but it seems in that regard perhaps the org takes a different character than the individuals who make the sum of it's parts...

We invite other voices in the community to show the BM org just how big the community of LSSAC supporters are. These participants, whose money helps make up the event budget, should at least have a voice in where that money goes. If you're so moved, write them and tell them what you think. We honestly don't think at this point it will do much good, but always better to be active than passive.

Our friends at BM asked us to give you this address to use: complaints@burningman.com, which feels weird considering we don't want you to complain per se, just to give feedback and testimony.

If you believe it, tell them you'd like us to get some even modest help. (Especially when in the grand scheme of things it's such a small amount of that budget we are asking for.) Without your voice, nothing will change - it may not change anyway, but we'd like to find out...

We think it a fair perception that BM had record attendance last year and have increased ticket prices again this year, and certainly must have the money for generator gas, or some free tickets for example. By saying no to everything, it leaves us scratching our heads at why we give this event so much, and get so little in return? Why do we work so hard to add value well above and beyond your average theme camp with minimal support, when there are plenty of resources to do so. Please know that we've thought about the role of 'gifting.' Camps like ours have given so much over the years, most have no idea. A small amount of help will not take away the gift of our offering. And, perhaps more importantly, let us not forget, gifting the community is one thing. But continually gifting the LLC year after year, who make money on this event in part by the entertainment that camps like ours provide, is another...

We've heard in this latest grant round that one notable crew got 60k for their art grant this year. Awesome for them, they do amazing art enjoyed by many. We've lent a hand to each other at the Box Shop on many an occasion. But - it feels out of balance for them to get 60 thousand dollars, and creations like ours, enjoyed by as many if not more in a week - get ZERO. They have 60k for one art piece, but they can't comp a handful of tickets for us? Does that sound right to you?

It's the org's choice of course, it's their event and their money, but we would be remiss to sit passively by and not at least ask where they are at with this question of balance, and do they wish to evolve how they've done things in this arena as the event has evolved? (Apparently not...)

We know the obvious answer is: 'Well then don't come!' That day will surely arrive, but as part of a community and event we love and believe in, we'd rather love it and change it, over love it or leave it. Is that not one piece of the American Dream?

We've had lots of conversations about entitlement, and are we being so? We honestly don't think so, and not without soul searching.

As a last thought, we also find it interesting how often BM taps in to the dance music culture to support their parties, usually without pay. At the SF Decompression, even though the dance areas are a major draw why people attend, and pay a cover to have access to, those crews putting on those areas get very little to help them be there, and it usually costs them money to come to Decom so BM can charge a cover and make money on the event! DJ's that have played the BM stage not only haven't been paid, but denied even one guest. Seems strange doesn't it?

Most likely from BM's perspective, especially knowing the history, they know the event will be just fine whether we all stop coming or not, but what kind of event will it be for you? We see fewer and fewer quality LSSACs (though more art cars...maybe that's the future?) Maybe others will take the place of El Circo, Opulent Temple, Green Gorilla, and others. Maybe not?

What do you think? Again, if you want your voice to be heard, write complaints@burningman.com. We want to redundantly reiterate, we're not trying to start an unproductive bitch-fest, we're not here to complain. But this is the address they requested we use, which maybe tells us more doesn't it?

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