Mission:

Mission Statement: The Black Artist Collective CNY is a safe space for creatives of color. BAC is dedicated to supporting, documenting, and showcasing the artistic and cultural contributions of Black artists and cultural workers in Syracuse, New York. BAC endeavors to play an essential role in the lives of emerging and established artists by helping build the resources, networks, and capacity of its richly diverse membership.

I understand that any place BAC's members are gathered is deemed a safe space for creatives of color and therefore pledge to protect these safe spaces. 

I understand that the support BAC provides for Black & Brown artists and culture workers is essential in Syracuse, NY and the greater CNY Region. 

I understand BAC's role in the lives of this community of artists and pledge to support this community to the best of my ability.

Benefits:

As a member of Black Artist Collective, you are entitled to the following benefits:

1. Education - Workshops, teach-ins, webinars, and other relevant professional development at low or reduced cost.
2. Funding - First look at new grants, updates on existing grants, loans, and other funding resources. BAC is a registered 501c3 nonprofit in NYS and as such can operate as a fiscal sponsor for its members. BAC retains 10% of all applicable awards obtained through fiscal sponsorship.
3. Paid Opportunities - First look at paid opportunities, commissions, and other relevant opportunities to apply your talent. All programming organized by BAC will provide compensation for artists.
4. Membership Discount - Reduced/waived pricing is available to all members towards admission and/or vending opportunities at BAC events; productions, film screenings, festivals and more.
5. Representation on our social media (IG + Facebook) and artist directory on our website. 
6. Members exclusive events, trips and retreats at low or reduced cost.
7. BIPOC Network - Meet local artists and build your network of support. BAC shows up for you!
8. Advocacy. Intervention. Interruption.

Dues:

Black Artist Collective is proud to offer membership at varying prices to make offerings accessible to all who are interested. Membership Dues are detailed by name and differ in expectations;

Harry Belafonte - $150/annually
1. Lead at least one of the following: workshop, artist talk + tour, or exhibition. Artist will be compensated.
2. *BAC Ambassador

Sheryl Lee Ralph - $75/annually
1. Attend at least two membership meetings
2. Serve on at least one planning committee
3. Lead at least one of the following: workshop, artist talk + tour, or exhibition. Artist will be compensated.
4. *BAC Ambassador

Marjorie Wilkins - $50/annually
1. Regular attendance at all membership meetings, workshops, and social gatherings
2. Volunteer major events: Black History Month, Juneteenth, Holiday Market
3. Lead at least one planning committee
4. Serve on at least one committee
5. Run BAC booth as needed
6. *BAC Ambassador

Please note these expectations are set at minimum, and regardless of the type of membership you subscribe to, there is room to expand your membership beyond that.

*BAC Ambassador - Examples include wearing BAC merch, shouting out the organization in your bio (playbills, programs), sharing BAC social media, referring new members, inviting people to BAC events, sharing BAC business cards, doing interviews on behalf of the organization, etc.

Engagement:

As an active member, you are expected to make meaningful contributions to the growth, expansion, and advocacy work to which the BAC is committed. The Executive Board will focus on ensuring all members get the most out of their subscribed membership. If a member is deemed inactive for an extended period of time (three months), the Executive Board will reach out to them. If the member remains inactive and/or displays egregious behaviors violating the mission of BAC, the Executive Board reserves the right to terminate their membership with dues being non-refundable.