Project Proposal: Why We Stay: Marshall Islands
Why We Stay: Marshall Islands is the next in a series of photo folklore projects by Why We Stay. The project will capture at least 100 photo portraits of residents of Springfield and additional landscapes and cityscapes to provide a sense of place. Using the established techniques developed by the Why We Stay project, these photos are mixed with audio and demographic data to create a more three dimensional portrait of Springfield, Vermont.
What Why We Stay: Marshall Islands Includes:
-Custom website with portraits, audio stories, and landscapes
-200 color and black and white signed copies of the first printing of Why We Stay: Marshall Islands
-All portraits and landscapes available for custom printing at economical prices directly through the website
-Inclusion in all future promotions and marketing of Why We Stay
-Final copy of printed book donated to local library
-Chris and Nate available for public discussion, marketing, and presentations based on the work created
How we can make this happen together through charitable donations:
The cost to produce the project, including photography, audio recording, data capture, editing, design, and printing of books is $15,000. All books are printed in Vermont, in this case they will be printed in the actual town where the projects is taking place. (Thanks SPC Marcom Studio!)
Why We Stay is a program of the non-profit Cornish Colony Arts Council, which raises all funds required for Why We Stay. Why We Stay seeks individuals, corporations, or other partners for funding to make each project a reality. There are benefits to donating, examples include:
-You will be part of the creation of a historical document about your town, which is presented in print, online, and with audio and folklore elements. This is the feel good benefit!
-You will be listed as a Presenter of the project on the title page or in the Acknowledgements section in the first printing of Why We Stay: Marshall Islands. A contributor who pays the full cost of a project will be the only name and logo listed as the Presenter. Projects with multiple contributors may have a tiered recognition system based on the amount they donate.
Below are some sample layouts that show where a contributor name and logo might be shown. Or in the case of multiple contributors, how the recognition might be shared.
Sample Pages (clickable):
Online Profile
Online profiles will be generated for each subject captured- these online portraits pair answers to our five project questions with a clip of the audio interview. A sample profile with audio and interview data is below:
What is your favorite location, place, building, or spot in Royalton? Why?
Behind my house. I live right on the river so I go down there a lot, to sit and fish.
You live right on the river, were you impacted by Irene?
Yeah, I lost my house. Went right through my house.
Did you think about not rebuilding?
No, that was a once in a lifetime deal I hope.
What do you want people to know about your town?
I love it. It's like walking around in a brochure all the time. It's beautiful. The people here are awesome. Should have seen the people when I had the flood. 100 something people over there. They were just stopping and running over and helping. It was awesome.
What Royalton resident made a positive difference in your life?
There's been a bunch actually. Just a real bunch of nice people, good friends.
And you play music?
Yeah. I play harmonica in a band, Snakes of Ireland. We just do all charity work ... (Harmonica) is also an instrument that you just pick up and get a couple of basic things and you try them down the road and it's better than a cell phone.
What is wish for your life? What is a wish for your town?
I just hope it sustains itself with the economy and more youngsters will move back in.
...finding jobs for them, making it so they can live here. That's the big thing. That's what I hope for South Royalton.
I think people are here to grow up here. When they move, they move for an adventure. I'm noticing that more and more want to move back, for just Vermont and the town. I've seen more kids moving back. Youngsters, kids 30 years old or so.
How Can We Get Started
The easiest way is to identify one corporation or group that would like to fund the project on behalf of the town. Their contribution would allow their logo and name to be used in the marketing and printed presentation of the book and they would receive 200 copies of the final project to donate or retail as they see fit.
If one funding source is not available, we will work with you to coordinate a tiered system of recognition that allows entities to provide donations of any size to receive recognition benefits. We will also help you determine how to distribute the 200 volumes of the book that will be created.
We can't wait to work with you in the Marshall Islands. If you know a company or organization that would like to fund the project, let us know!
All the Best,
Chris & Nate