Project Title:
MICA Sustainability Team

Dates:
2009 – 2010

We are a group of young researchers committed to sustaining a multi-racial, multi-generational community space where we can meet, organize for social change, and creatively express ourselves. We seek input from the community to inform the programming offered by Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts (MICA) and in turn share with our community the opportunities that MICA provides. We strategize a grassroots campaign to garner community support, raise funds, and develop a volunteer base, because we recognize that building community support is central to long-term social change.

The MAA MICA Sustainability Team helped envision, organize and host the Mestizo West Side Arts Festival in 2010 which vividly celebrated the multi-culturalism of the West Side of Salt Lake City, bringing together community for a colorful event. The celebration took place on North Temple and included vendors, performers, information from community organizations, community members, families and children, food, and new exhibits from local artistas: Ruby Chacón (http://www.rubychacon.com/) and Veronica Pérez (http://www.artistveronicaperez.com/). This event was held to celebrate MICA’s anniversary and to stimulate and integrate West Side communities through arts and activism and convivencia.

The team fundraised for their projects through the selling of art, and asking for donations from community businesses, partners, and residents.