by Rod Amis

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Rod Amis

New York, NEW YORK, USA - The World's Magazine first became of the work Metropolitan Tribe's Alison Blackman and her co-founder, Brandon Stewart, when they contacted us about a potential Web Link Partnership. Upon visiting their site we were intrigued by the work they were doing in forming a virtual artists' community, so we started asking questions. The result was the conversation about community building which you'll find below --RA

G21: What was the impetus for beginning Metropolitan Tribe? What need do you think the organization fills?

ALISON BLACKMAN: Actually, it goes back to one night when my husband showed me a small article in The Economist about "Urban Tribes" and more specifically, a California man named Ethan Watters who was writing a book about his "tribe" of friends and how people who are NOT related band together for support and success. It got me thinking about my own "tribe."

For more than ten years, I've been part of my own sort of "urban tribe." Every Tuesday night, rain or shine (and even during the terrible aftermath of September 11th,) I meet with a group of "regulars" (and friends, family, co-workers, out-of-towners...or whomever is in need of a little companionship) come together in Chinatown to eat dinner together. Over the years, we have become "family" - although not all of us are related to one another.

It's a tradition that goes back to World War II, when my Aunt, my Uncle and a few of their friends starting meeting in various places every week so that they would be sure to get together. Over the years they've been to several places, they met in restaurants, as the floor of one restaurant fell in, the roof of another fell down...and so forth. The food is good (usually) but it's the camraderie that brings the regulars back each week, and new people as they enjoy the continuity, laughter, support that this kind of "tribal" gathering provides.

When you are an artist, YOU are the "product" for sale,so by definition, the challenges and rejection are even greater than if you just sold widgets or some other, impersonal, object or service.

The "business" of creativity is a lonely, difficult, and often, scary proposition. Additionally, one of the most difficult aspects of developing a career as in a creative field is the isolation from colleagues and other, naturally-formed support systems. Creative individuals are often solitary in their lives and work styles.

Artists in urban environments, especially in NYC - where I live - are even more disconnected from the human support, resources, and materials they need for success. While small town living naturally encourages connection with at least a few people each day on a personal basis, big city dwellers, for example, may connect with dozens of people in a day, but not in any personal of meaningful way.

The events in New York and Washington, of September 11, 2001, have also increased a general feelings of vulnerability and isolation even more. As a professional writer, I have often felt (on the road to "success") the need for companionship from people who have "been there and done that" but frankly, none of the professional organizations I could join provided the kind of supportive, collaborative atmosphere that I wanted.

I have a long history in non-profit management and an MPA degree in arts and public management. I'm a writer, life & career expert and personal public relations consultant. My dear friend and co-founder, Brandon Stewart,has a long history of experience in the arts, and as an executive in the non-profit and private sectors. Together, we have over 50 years of combined management and arts experience.

I realized that if I wanted to find the type of support I wanted, I'd have to develop it myself! Brandon and I have different skills and personalities, and we made a great team! We spent a lot of time discussing what we could do and how. That's how THE METROPOLITAN TRIBE was developed.

G21: Okay, cool. So it is exactly that you do?

Alison
Blackman

ALISON BLACKMAN: The function of the Metropolitan Tribe, right now, is to connect artists of various types around the block (in the NYC metro area) and around the world. Since the organization is still new, most of the activities of the Tribe are online through our forums, chat room, online networking events, and links. We have only done one in-person event so far, but plan to do more ... if we can get enough funding.

Our eventual plan is to connect artists in collaborative, supportive ways not just in New York City, but eventually, in regional "Tribes" around the country and perhaps, the world!

A tribe is the perfect structure to offer the resources, tools, contacts, mentors, connections, and information that artists (as with any other sole entrepreneurs) need to succeed.

Additionally, since the path to success is commonly strewn with personal rejection, self-doubt, frustration and worry, especially for artists, it's important to have the support of those who personally understand the experience. THE METROPOLITAN TRIBE's collaboration of artists provides naturally-forming, connective pathways to members to secure these critical relationships and supports, with the expectation that they will evolve and endure.

G21: Someone once said that organizing artists was like herding cats. Has that been your experience?

ALISON BLACKMAN: Herding cats! [LAUGHTER]

I DO think that artists are a particular breed. They are solitary, for the most part, and don't "network" the way marketing managers or media moguls do. On the other hand, artists are people and people need support and validation. They also need contacts. Being creative is a talent, but the BUSINESS of being an artist is a skill. It requires the same activities and mindset of any entrepreneur.

What good is being creative if you can't bring your work to the public consciousness, successfully? What we have tried to do is set up activities that artists will respond to. We don't waste their time. This is a business connection, not a beer blast! And I think the idea of a tribe appeals to creative people who think outside of the box.

Furthermore, the notion of a tribe is not new - they've existed for more than 10,000 years.

The Metropolitan Tribe just re-defines the concept in a modern, urban setting to bring different types of artists together in holistic, non-competitive ways that other organizationS don't. The organization's goal is to help provide support by fostering member-to-members connections and collaborations. The active participation of members, and the awesome sum of their collective wisdom and skills make each person more powerful and successful. In the words of the ancient Klamath Indian tribe: Ha-sat' waaY - naat cii-wapk (We help each other; we will live.) This is particularly important for today's urban artist, dealing with increasing competition and declining financial support.

G21: What cooperative efforts among artists has Metropolitan Tribe engendered or plans to?

ALISON BLACKMAN: Again, we're just starting up - so it's hard to know exactly who is doing what with whom.

For starters, we're helping to bring artists more publicity by showcasing links to their work on our members' showcase. Our 22+ forums provide a wide variety of topics for artists to connect to one another.

For example, we have had songwriters seeking musicians to perform their songs and vice-versa. We have had illustrators seeking writers and vice-versa. We've had lawyers connect to clients, we've had web designers find work through other artists who need web sites. We have had quite a few requests for barter of services. We have members who post their work and ask for feedback and marketing ideas. We have connected like-minded people who had NO idea that they lived nearby. We're not a "meet market" but I am certain that some of our members have made new social connections through The Tribe, as well.

G21: Okay, let's say I'm an artist reading this interview and what you're presenting resonates enough for me to want to get out of my isolated little world for a while. What are the "duties and obligations" attached to becoming a member of the tribe? Do I have to give money, time, attend a whine and cheeser?

ALISON BLACKMAN: We have tried to keep our membership open to as many people as possible, but we are a professional group. If you're looking to meet artists but you're not one yourself or if you've just thought about being creative "someday" this is not the group for you!

Working artists in every country of the world and of all types (and entrepreneurs in related, creative fields) who are bringing their work to the public consciousness are invited to join. You don't have to be famous, but you have got to be serious about your creative goals. We will also consider, on an individual basis, applicants who are seriously working towards this goal or who work in the arts. Those who are interested in joining need merely to fill out a simple membership form on our web site at: http://www.metrotribe.org/memshipform.html .

Membership and all our services are currently free. We know artists don't usually have deep pockets.

However, after a year of funding this out of my own pocket and Brandon's, the reality is that we're at the stage where we MUST find financial support to survive and grow. We hope that those who believe in what we are doing to help artists prosper in their lives and careers and who want us to continue will voluntarily donate any amount, even if it's just $10 or $15 or more. We have set things up to accept secure, electronic payments online through PAYPAL: (To do this visit our home page and click the "Donate" button on the left hand side of the page).

You can also get more information about funding and volunteering on our funders page: http://www.metrotribe.org/funders.html. Even with donations, funding is going to be a serious problem since grants and other sources of founding for the arts is so competitive, and start-up organizations like ours are rarely considered. We wont' give up though! We do have a connection with an existing 501(c)3 non-profit, New York Artists Equity, in Soho, NY. This year will will be trying to get grants to create a speakers' series with this group.

If you are accepted as a member, all we ask is that members participate and help promote the Tribe in whatever way they feel comfortable.

G21: What's your vision for where Metropolitan Tribe will go this year and beyond, both as a resource for artists and as an institution?

ALISON BLACKMAN: This year is a crucial one for us. We'll be working on our web site, our forums area, our links and our listserv. To give value-added to our members, we are busy identifying suppliers of goods and services they need and will be offering special "Metropolitan Tribe Members" discounts.

We are also negotiating with experts and professionals in law, web design, personal coaching, career advice, resume writing, editing, accounting, etc., to bring high-quality professional services at rates exclusively for Tribe Members. Another service we're planning will link members to each other for professional and social connections, and also to other people and resources (outside of the Tribe).

We have started a listserv on Yahoo!Groups called the metrotribenews and are doing online chat and networking events (the first two will be held on Monday, February 24th at Noon and 7pm EST). We hope to do more in-person events in New York.

G21: Finally, thanks for this info and your patience with our questions.

Let's do a Free-fall: What question have you always wanted to be asked about this tribal endeavor and what would be your answer to that question?

ALISON BLACKMAN: I don't know about the question, but here's the answer: I do not believe in erecting monuments but I DO I believe that what you do on Earth while you are here really matters. I have always been oddly comforted by the thought that some day, a long time after I have departed this world, one of the books I have written will be picked up by someone who will read it and [that person will] be as inspired as was the first person who initially read it.

Perhaps too, the Metropolitan Tribe will last for generations to come. What Brandon and I created hopefully will live on past us, be our "legacy" and continue to help artists well into future generations. That's what keeps me going. It's what I hope for most.

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