The latest arts catch phrase can be found at the beginning of every grant application. It's the hot topic at Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts workshops. Local funders have made it the focus of keynote addresses. In a state of heat-induced delirium, I even saw it tattooed on Cinergy Foundation honcho Joe Hale's ass. "Collaboration" between artists and arts organizations is a prerequisite for funding dollars. Most of the joint efforts involve established organizations. The Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival shares marketing experiences with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, while the Cincinnati Film Society and Media Bridges sponsor video salons.
Outside the arts establishment, emerging artists are creating a grassroots network of creative collaborators. There are no grant applications, no professional staff and little money. These collaborations aren't solely about scoring well at some foundation review. They're about the work itself. They're about creativity and creative artists. If you're looking for true arts collaboration, speak to playwright Joe Barnett, 29.
A multimedia production of Sam Shepard and Patti Smith's Cowboy Mouth is the direct result of Barnett's work with a team of 10 local actors, musicians and set designers. It's a stage experiment that promises creative freedom for the artists involved. Barnett folds body painting into the dreamlike drama. Local musician Joe Klug provides an original score. Barnett had no problem attracting the support of friends and artists. The only unknown is what type of crowd will come on June 23 and 24 for the 9 p.m. performances.
"I'm not sure what people mean when they say that this town isn't supporting them," says Barnett, speaking at a Main Street coffeehouse. "Are they talking about the establishment? People with money? I can certainly use some money. But I prefer working in small raw spaces. It's like people say: Go find yourself a hall and do something."
VOLK is the common factor behind many of these grassroots collaborations. It's impressive what local artists and close friends Zoltan Faltay, Tim McMichael and Joe Winterhalter have done with the former Ball Furniture warehouse on 14th Street. The programming throughout its brief summer calendar sparkles.
Price Hill artist Sarah Mann stages Drug Dreams, a two-person production about one night in the life of a hardcore drug user, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Fellow artists are helping Mann with sets, sound and directing. But the most important contribution was access to the VOLK space.
"All of this is artist sponsored," Mann says, speaking from her day job at a local union office. "We are doing this out of our own pocket. It's been really great. I never dreamed I'd actually be having my own performance nights."
When Mann finishes her own stage production, she'll return to VOLK the following week to perform in Burnett's Cowboy Mouth. It's clear these VOLK artists can teach some major arts institutions a thing or two about collaborations.
From his Over-the-Rhine apartment, Barnett continues to work on his master's thesis from Miami University. Tending bar pays his bills. He tries to stay creatively challenged.
Rehearsals for Cowboy Mouth qualify as one of Barnett's wind-up times. In early May, he agreed to stage the show. Set-up is limited to a brief two days. The whole production has been a whirlwind experience.
"I feel good about my friends," Barnett says. "I'm pretty sure we're going to have a pretty large crowd of visual artists. I hope there's a crossover. I'd love the feedback."
After Cowboy Mouth, Barnett plans to keep working and saving his money. By September, he hopes to travel across America, hit the road and get inspired. Later, he plans to return to Cincinnati to do more writing. He knows he'll be welcomed. After all, this is the town that first showed him what artists are capable of doing among themselves. Away from arts institutions, lies a truer collaborative spirit.
