Upstate Art Weekend: Do Better!
Have you ever seen something with a name that made you feel like "oh wow, I should be part of this!" but then the deeper you looked into it, the more it felt like it was designed without you in mind while also exploiting you somehow?
Enter Upstate Art Weekend.
- Founded by rich, white artist Helen Toomer from New York City.
- Helen moved "upstate" during the pandemic's peak / during the Hudson Valley Housing Crisis and said "you know what this area needs? An arts scene!" (this is all TEXTBOOK saviorism, gentrification, gatekeeping... it's so tired!)
- Instead of arriving and immersing herself in what and who was already here or supporting local efforts, she used her resources to design a pay-to-play offering that costs $250-$500+ to be a part of, gave it a name that capitalizes on a region experiencing a housing crisis, and actively erases Indigenous history past and present.
A cohort of community members have tried calling her in for the past few years- via comment, DM, email, and invites to in-person conversation. All to no avail...
...enter #UpstateArtWeekendDoBetter!
We're getting the word out. If Helen won't listen and learn, it's time to take action. We call upon anyone who cares about community to opt into learning about this campaign. If you're an impacted local artist- we see you and want to hear you. If you're a participant who didn't know better- opt in and amplify. If you're a visitor- get familiar with the struggles here and do what you can to help rather than only extract. We all have a role to play regarding our collective liberation and well being and are intent on building power and modeling what community care can look like.
~Community Transmissions~
Click each image and read what our community thinks!
A case against Upstate Art Weekend & offerings like it
Community thoughts on Upstate Art Weekend
Action items
ACTION 1: Fill out their survey!
Tell them what they need to hear, and please consider sending us a screenshot or an email of what you said! That way we know they received the feedback (if and when they choose to ignore it). Survey here.
ACTION 2: Have a thought? Share it!
Search our #UpstateArtWeekendDoBetter hashtag and add your feedback to a social media posts, or email us, or comment on one of UPAW's social media post posts (we can't engage because they blocked us). We're sharing community-informed transmissions and strive to include as many local voices as possible while centering those of folks who not only hold a marginalized identity but are working class artists and beings most impacted by systems of harm (aka not white women millionaires... for example..... oop!). If you don't have any specific thoughts, please just shar the campaign wherever you can. It's our responsibility to keep one another informed.
ACTION 3: Don't show out to or support UPAW!
So many of the participating venues are also gatekeepers within the local arts scene and don't exist for the many.
To venues who knowingly are "trying to change it from the inside"- we'd love to have a presence during your show.
To venues ready to escape the cycle of broken ways of operating, let's talk.
To venues who think UPAW is good, we're rooting for you and your unlearning journey.
To community members who feel excluded - WE ARE. But we don't need this event! Do your own cool things during UPAW & all year long! And do it collaboratively and intersectionally!
The defensiveness runs deep...
Fixed it!
What do YOU wish UPAW would speak about? Let us know! Or let them know! We use our platform to share things like our Resource Guide, full of things like community fridges and pantries, free wellness services, and other tools that artists and community members need year round. UPAW has the power to make this part of their work. Why don't they want us to survive or thrive here?
Solidarity to all artists speaking out and taking action!
organize - recognize - celebrate!
