Project Name: I remember when…
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Individual
First and last name?
Sarah Ayers
What city or village do you reside in?
Marcellus
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
Instagram Handle
@sayersart
ABOUT THE PROJECT
What is the name of the neighborhood where the project will take place? (Please include city/village name too. Example: Mexican Town, Detroit)
Downtown Marcellus
Anticipated project launch date
August 4, 2023
Describe your project idea including: a) Is it a project or event? b) What will you do? c) Where will you do it? d) Who, if any, are your project partners?
The project would be a one-day event to happen alongside the Marcellus First Friday festivities. With an aging community and a changing downtown landscape, our project will connect the Village’s older residents with middle and high-school-age Media Club members. The Media Club students will conduct interviews and photograph the elder Village residents not only as a means to preserve the town’s history but to develop inter-generational relationships. Partners include the First Friday Committee
How will you engage your community in this project?
As a community-centered project, we will actively engage the Village’s elder residents, community school students, and creative community. Using the days interviews and documentation as content for an exhibition in downtown Marcellus art gallery, Patch & Remington, the dialogue started in August will continue through a physical exhibition and supporting programming.
How will the project celebrate the neighborhood’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
Using the standard “I remember when…” as a catalyst for documenting the Village’s history and the story of the residents that have grown up in the community, the project centers on inter-generational communication and broad relationship building. And, as it becomes a physical exhibition, the documentation becomes free and accessible to anyone, regardless of socioeconomic circumstances, age, race, and abilities. The objective is to capture the stories of the diverse residents in the Village of Marcellus and leverage shared experiences as a platform for engagement.
How do you plan to spend the $1,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
The microgrant funds would offset the costs of a number of tape recorders and one camera to be used not only during the specific event but throughout the ongoing exhibition and programming phase. Ideally, this project could become ongoing with oral histories and archives being donated to the Marcellus Wood Township Library.
Will your project require special permits?
No
Are you the owner of the property where the project/event will occur?
No Please provide a letter of support from the owner of that property.
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Rachel’s Notes
Reviewed 4.21.23. Confirmed member status. Applied as an individual but she is on DDA and owns the small business involved. Marcellus likely doesn’t have neighborhoods, their downtown is probably their only gathering place.
ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S NEEDS
Why does your neighborhood need this project?
The Village of Marcellus is at a pivot point in regard to its sustainability and it is paramount that our residents of all ages come together to work collectively to save the Village.
What do you hope to achieve through this project? Be as specific as possible!
I hope to achieve a sense of community through the sharing of stories and experiences. As the town has continued to decline, there are rare opportunities for intergenerational engagement. I hope that this project validates and supports the elder residents as visible and important members of the community, teaches students the importance of listening and care, demonstrates that communities are living, shifting opportunities for change, and encourages further engagement and collaboration among residents of all ages to rethink how we can work together to rebuild Marcellus.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more.
We have existing partnerships with:
Marcellus Enrichment Initiative hosts First Fridays allowing this to become a focal point of the festivities
Marcellus Wood Township Library: Tech and archival support
Marcellus Newspaper: Media support (donating ad space and covering the event)
Patch & Remington: donation of exhibition space in downtown Marcellus
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Our younger residents
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Image Caption 2 (if any): Documentation of previous exhibitions
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Image Caption 3 (if any): Diverse audience at Patch & Remington
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Image Caption 4 (if any): Elder Village Residents dying to tell a tale
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Image Caption 5 (if any): Documenting community gathering
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