For communities all across the country, nothing has been more destructive to local culture, economies, & environmental health, than the corporatization, so-called “Free Trade” & globalization policies of the current period.  The consequences of which have led to

• the near total take-over of all media, by a small handful of corporate mass-media monopolies, owning over 90% of all mainstream media (that includes TV, newspapers & other print, radio, record labels, film studios, etc.).
• the displacement of local culture by a homogenized, pre-packaged, mass “consumer culture”.
• the disappearance of quality local journalism & other essential programming in the public interest.
• local small businesses, public markets, long established “mom ‘n’ pops”, driven out by giant corporate chains, “big box” stores and other services.
• the large-scale, corporate plunder, exploitation & destruction of local environmental habitats/eco-systems, resources, public commons, and unique natural beauty of communities, across the country.
• the “corporatization” of local economies, and the privatisation of public services, resources, infrastructure.
• a massive, outsized & undemocratic influence of corporations, private equity & other large financial institutions over our local, state & federal government agencies, services, policies, practices, laws, elections, with little to no public accountability.
• an unraveling of community connectivity, local, shared cultural identity, diversity, stability & resilience of local economies, the health & sustainability of our public commons, & preservation of our natural environment & resources.  All for the sake of maximizing profits for insatiably greedy, already obscenely wealthy shareholders & CEOs.

It’s time to take back our communities.  Join the nationwide movement to REBUILD CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, & REPRESENTATIVE LOCALISM! 

1. high quality, member-supported journalism, cultural arts, activities, events, and other public interest programs, PSA’s, features & services.
2. an off-ramp from the creeping corporatization of our communities, and an effective means to rebuild strong, healthy, resilient, diverse and sustainable, local economies, environment & public commons.  
3. a powerful springboard/community hub/“home base” for our members to connect, organize, discover & create new opportunities, locally, as well as collaborate and share support & solidarity with other affiliated chapters, nationwide.
4. a fun and engaging social media alternative, geared towards inspiring members turn the computer off, put the phone down, and physically get out there, meet new folks, discover new opportunities, get connected and get involved.
5. a democratic framework for member participation in the decision-making process, with regard to the funding & development of member-supported, I.A.M.C.A. produced programs, events, activities & services, the awarding of grants, selecting of local chapter directors/board members, and general organizational operations, policy & practices, etc.

Join your local Independent Arts & Media Communtiy Association today!!

What is The I.A.M.C.A.?

The INDEPENDENT ARTS & MEDIA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is your local, member-supported & organized, non-profit, public platform, committed to the support, promotion & celebration of cultural, economic, environmental & representative localism.  A “People’s Platform”!

• Your chapter’s homepage is your WEEKLY JOURNAL of “all things local”.  Featuring local news & information, cultural arts, entertainment, events & activities, public interest programs & features, and much more!!
• The go-to place to discover & connect with exciting, new content from LOCAL & INDEPENDENT ARTISTS, JOURNALISTS and other content creators.
• It’s your WEEKLY CALENDAR for upcoming local EVENTS & ACTIVITIES.  From parades, block parties, farmers markets, high school sports & other events, holiday celebrations to “theater in the park”, live music, book releases/readings, conventions, elections & other public affairs, and much more!!
• It’s a COMMUNITY HUB for members to connect, discover local events & activities, get involved, post bulletins/classifieds, find everything from new bandmates, opportunities, to local p-patches, car pools, morning walk partners, hobby clubs, community forums to join or start, to used item swaps, organize a block party, community projects, discover or post upcoming workshops/classes/etc., and much more!!
• The go-to place to discover & connect with LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.  From Mom ‘n’ Pops to worker owned co-ops, public markets to handcraft artisans, small family farms to all manner of specialty trades & services.  You’ll find them here!!
• It’s where you will find a wide range of SPECIAL FEATURES, SERVICES, TOOLS & RESOURCES.  From member-supported services to partnering with local community resource & outreach organizations & programs, local directories, free workshops, how-to tutorials & information, events planners to civics & media literacy tools, PSA’s and more!!
• A place to DISCOVER, CONNECT, SHARE & GET INVOLVED!!  From joining your local IAMCA Chapter’s staff to becoming a contributor, volunteering for an upcoming parade, local food bank, or “Chess Park” project, etc.  Share content, organize a public campaign, event or activity, join the IAMCA PRESENTS team and help develope & create featured public programming, features & services, participate in I.A.M.C.A. TOWN HALL Events, Member Polls, community forums, and much more!!
• A place to CELEBRATE COMMUNITY!!!

    At it’s core, The INDEPENDENT ARTS & MEDIA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is a community organizing tool, dedicated to the celebration, promotion, preservation & support of local communities, local culture, arts & artists, local independent journalism, local economies & environment, our public commons, and more!

*For more, see the “How It Works” section, below.

The I.A.M.C.A. is a NATIONWIDE NETWORK of mutually supportive, AFFILIATED LOCAL CHAPTERS.  Each local chapter is it’s own independent, member-supported, organized & operated community association, built on member participation, stewardship & collective leadership.   

The revenue from membership & services fees, merch sales, IAMCA Store purchases, grants, fundraising drives, and other donations, helps your local I.A.M.C.A. Chapter fund the following:

• quality public programming, news, information, events, activities, features & services,
• jobs & opportunities for local, independent artists, journalists and other content creator/contributors,
• a wide range of tools, resources, features, services & other support for local, small business communities
• the production of “IAMCA: Weekly Edition”, your chapter’s on-line, weekly periodical for local arts & culture, news, information, and other public interest programs & features   
• IAMCA staff, your chapter’s homepage maintenance & management, and other general organisational & operational expenses 
• the production of “IAMCA Presents…” members-choice programs, events & activities. These are productions that are popularly requested by members, and developed by your local chapter’s in-house production team
• offering grants in support of “Potluck Productions”.  These are independently produced programs, activities & events, that are developed directly from a list of popular member requests.  “Potluck Productions” receive additional promotional support & advertisement credits.
• help fund “Community Volunteer Auxiliary” programs, outreach, and other efforts
• member engagement, outreach & support efforts
• provide grants for local, independent artists, journalists, and other contributors, community resources/outreach programs, public projects, events & activities, and more!

*I.A.M.C.A. is a non-profit, public platform.  We are a 100% corporation-free zone.  Sponsor indentification practices are consistent with FCC public broadcasting guidelines.  Sponsorship opportunities are exclusive to local, small business members.  Within the “IAMCA: Weekly Edition” feed, promotional space is exclusive to that episode’s local, independent contributors and volunteers. 

Additional small business member sponsorship identification space is provided at the end of each individual catergories feed. The sponsor logo links included in this space are organized, based on relevance to a page’s specific category (ex. musical instrument shops & services, live music venues, events poster artists, record shops, session artists, recording studios, and other music related small businesses will be included in the LOCAL MUSIC section, and so on.)

*(see “The LOCAL ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT Dept.” section for further details.)

Your membership is your equal vote.  Through regular polling/surveys, popular request, feedback from “IAMCA Town Hall” events, and direct participation through becoming a volunteer, contributor, collaborative partner, and/or joining your local chapter’s production team.  I.A.M.C.A. members help inform their chapter’s funding priorities, with regard to each of the above listed.

Other sources of programming, content, events, activities, features & services include the following:

1. local, independent content contributors. 
2. collaborative partnerships
3. “IAMCA NATIONWIDE” All-Chapters Programming, comprised of each chapter’s “members-choice best” contributor content picks. When new local programming is unavailable, for a given category, on a local chapter’s homepage, content defaults to IAMCA Nationwide programming
4. content selected from “The Archives”, IAMCA’s all-chapter’s shared media archive.
5. member crowdsourced efforts

Contributors, partners & volunteers receive several reciprocal perks, including the following:

1. prominently displayed contributor credits & promos, within that episode’s “Weekly Edition”, related site directories, and at the “IAMCA Store” homepage. 
2. “Promo-Rama” advertisement credits and other discounts.
3. honorable shout-outs, in that week’s IAMCA Newsletter and other communications to members.
4. inclusion to the list of “members-choice best” nominees for “IAMCA Nationwide” programming consideration.
5. Inclusion in “The Archives” collection.
6. the admiration & appreciation of your fellow members!!

*All contributed content, public events & events must meet IAMCA’s stated community interest & practices standards.

The “mothership” / collective, nationwide organizing body is called “I.A.M.C.A. CENTRAL”.  Each chapter is represented by a Councilmember, for all IAMCA Central Conventions, representing it’s local chapter’s membership.  Member Chapters convene for the following:

• the coordination of common cause, national campaigns & other efforts, mutual support & solidarity (see “IAMCA Supports The Following” section).
• the development, coordination & co-production of collaborative “I.A.M.C.A. Nationwide” all-chapters programming, special features, programs, events & activities, such as “The Annual I.A.M.C.A. Pledge-a-thon”,  IAMCA National News Department, elections coverage, and much more.
• advise on Official IAMCA Central programming, policy and practices.
• elect I.A.M.C.A. Central board members

Affiliated chapters provide a membership fee to I.A.M.C.A. CENTRAL.  The proceeds from which constitute a collective investment that helps fund

• the promotion, maintenance, & further development of our shared platform,
• licensing fees, operational, administrative costs, technical support services, etc.
• a wide range of quality programs, special features, tools & resources, PSA’s, events & activities, services, products, etc., for exclusive license, access & use by all member IAMCA chapters.
• receive reduced rates for large bulk orders for things like quality “Official IAMCA” merchandise, that help fund each chapter’s  operations and other activities
• larger budget, collaborative productions and other special features & services, that may otherwise prove cost-prohibitive for individual chapters’ budgets.
• and more!!

Interested in starting a NEW CHAPTER, in your community?

1. Send your applications to I.A.M.C.A. CENTRAL, where we will help you, through the process of becoming a local, affiliated I.A.M.C.A. Chapter.  IAMCA Central also provides technical, organisational, promotional, emotional & other such support to all local chapters.
2. Each new chapter receives their “community association-in-a-box” starter kit, that includes their Official IAMCA website template & theme, logos, complete promo package, merchandise & other templates, access to all SPECIAL FEATURES, TOOLS & RESOURCES, the complete & growing catalog of all-chapter sponsored & co-produced, official IAMCA Central feature programs, events, activities, national affairs, news & elections coverage, PSA’s and much more!!  Everything you need to help you get up and running!
3. You also receive exclusive access to a wide range of tools, resources, “how-to” tips & tutorials, and other support, on eveything from how to organize public programs, projects, campaigns, events & activities, to membership drives, developing & producing your own local special features & programming, and more!!

The four key characteristics most commonly found among any strong, healthy, connected, and successful community are the following

1. A high level of interest, participation & engagement in local cultural arts, activities & events.
2. are well-informed on matters directly affecting their lives, with a high level of media literacy & critical thinking skills, understanding of basic civics, and are engaged & participate in local politics/policy/elections.
3. a high level of connectivity & participation within the community, local pride, community stewardship, are well organised around matters of public interest, celebrates it’s shared culture & diversity, has more block parties, annual parades, and such other activies & events, and are generally more involved in each others lives.
4. a high level of support for local small businesses, economic & environmental localism and commitment to stewardship, the public commons, and a fair & equitable economy.  Understand the fundamental connection of a strong, healthy, diverse, sustainable local environment to a strong healthy, diverse, resilient & successful local economy.

    And it is for this reason that your I.A.M.C.A. Chapter’s homepage is organised into the following 4 FEATURE DEPARTMENTS.

• LOCAL ARTS & ARTISTS 
• LOCAL INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM
• The COMMUNITY HUB
• LOCAL ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

The I.A.M.C.A. is committed to SUPPORTING LOCAL, INDEPENDENT ARTS & ARTISTS & REBUILDING CULTURAL LOCALISM.

How we got here:

    As a result of a series of bad (and very consequential) legislation, such as “The 1996 Telecommunications Act”, the repeal of Net Neutrality laws, deregulation, industry capture of regulatory agencies, a failure to enforce anti-trust laws, over 90% of all mainstream media (that includes TV, newspapers & other print, radio, record labels, film studios, social media platforms, etc.) is now owned by a small handful of giant digital media gatekeepers (“Big Tech”), and corporate mass-media monopolies. 

The losers, in this deal, are the communities, whose locally owned & operated newspapers, radio & TV stations, theaters, etc., that once featured local journalism, local arts & culture, and other public interest programming & services, were driven out of the market, and replaced by a cheap, homogenized, pre-packaged, mass “consumer culture”, that, in no way reflects the interests, values, or local culture of the communities they target.  

Communities like Beale Street to Austin, Harlem to Detroit, San Fransisco to Memphis, Greenwich Village et al., whose unique local arts & culture put them on the map, as vibrant, dynamic & bustling cultural arts meccas, have consequently, become fewer and farther between, or else overtaken by corporatization, to the point where, regardless of where you travel, in this country, the towns & cities all start to look and feel the same.

Also rapidly coming unraveled are the whole interconnected fabric of their supporting local economy, from tourism to arts & events venues, record shops to print shops, freelance artists to instrument repair shops, events staff & numerous other services & industries, that tend to accompany such cultural centers.

History reveals two things, time and again, that the one thing most central to our core nature is “community”, and that, when we come together as such, we are capable of truly awe-inspiring acts of great beauty, light, collective power, love & grace. In so many ways, as individuals, our sense of self-worth, self-identity & general well-being are deeply connected to community. Like the sense of connection we feel when we meet someone, abroad, from our home town, the sense of pride we feel when we hear someone we went to school with, on the radio, or when our team wins the big game, etc.    

History also reveals, everywhere you look, the communities that support & participate in creating an active, dynamic, robust, inclusive “culture of community” are more connected, resilient, prosperous, engaged, involved, happy, healthy, supportive, and thriving communities. And often, part and parcel to this are local communities draped in rich, vibrant tapestries of cultural arts, celebrations, traditions, history, local cuisine, and so much more.

It’s in this spirit that I.A.M.C.A. seeks to help facilitate a direct partnership between our members & local, independent artists, to take back our communities, in celebration & support of local culture!!

Here’s our secret plan for eating corporate media’s lunch, and simultaneously mobilizing a powerful, dynamic, bold, fun & engaging “people’s media” revolution…. Offer a no-brainer, better deal to independent artists, in exchange for quality programming contributions & participation, by 

1. providing a member-supported, public platform alternative, committed to supporting local artists, and quality cultural arts, entertainment, public interest programs, events & activities
2. eliminating the corporate middle-man, entirely.  I.A.M.C.A. is a non-profit platform, so artists & their supporters split the difference!
3. establishing a powerful springboard, advocacy & support base for local, independent artists to build strong, successful careers.
4. offering grants, promotional support, and other opportunities for local arts & artists
5. providing member-access to effective career building tools & resources like “The IAMCA Tour Planner”, “Potluck Productions” support, an IAMCA Store account, a growing archive of “how-to” related features & other content, for beginners to experts, and other support
6. Your artist profile included in your local “Independent Artists Directory” & national database.
7. providing contributors access to “I.A.M.C.A. Nationwide” programming & promotional support opportunities.
8. and much more!!

Here’s some of what you will find!

**************************************

LOCAL INDEPENDENT ARTS & ARTISTS:  

• The member community board feed for local, independent cultural arts, entertainment, events & activities. Discover and share content related to the following categories (each searchable as a “one with everything”, recent posts results or using sub-catergory filters):  

• • LOCAL MUSIC
  • FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY
  • THEATER & LIVE PERFORMANCE
  • NEW LITERATURE
  • VISUAL ARTS & DESIGN

• *Your Independent Artist Membership allows you “featured contributor” access to the feeds, plus 4 free post credits, daily, and discounted rates for 2 additional paid, featured “billboard posts”, within the feed, to total the maximum limit of 6 daily submissions, per member.  Member comments, forums, and all the other usuals are, of course, otherwise free and limitless.  Although, to be honest, you really should get out more often…

The INDEPENDENT ARTISTS DIRECTORY:  

THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS:  

*See also the SPECIAL FEATURES Dept. for the following:

I.A.M.C.A. PRESENTS… :  

POTLUCK PRODUCTIONS:  

BUSKER BOOTHS:  

• TAKE YOUR SHOW ANYWHERE!!

      “BUSKER BOOTH Mini-Mainstages” are the eye-catching, full-featured, affordably rent-able, easy to assemble, portable stages (includes secure lock box w/ prominently displayed “donations” slot, for your tips & merch money), that takes your public performance to the next level, while helping support your local I.A.M.C.A.!!

      Perfect for parks, public spaces, town centers, store fronts, fairgrounds, backyards, block parties, special events, and more!!

  *DISCOVER UPCOMING BUSKER BOOTH EVENTS NEAR YOU!!  Visit page for calendar, featured artists profiles, and other details*

AUDIO/VIDEO-CAST DIRECTORY:  

IAMCA’s TOUR PLANNER:  

• Whether you are a local, independent artist/band, planning a cross-country tour to promote your new release, or planning a family vacation or roadtrip, this is the place for you!!

• Just enter your starting point & destination, dates, and other selectable interests, categories & search filters, and The IAMCA Tour Planner  connects you with related itinerary results, from IAMCA’s nationwide database of participating members,

  Discover & connect with en route venues, B&B’s/motels/rest stops, etc., national parks, local attractions, events & activies, local chapter links, and more!!

• IAMCA’s Tour Planner: Pro Plus” is specially designed, with addition features, perfect for touring independent artists, journalists, and other such professionals.   Includes additional tools, resources, promotional support features.  Connects your member profile with en route venues/booking agents,  local IAMCA Chapters, for inclusion in The Events & Activities Calendar, and consideration for an upcoming “Visiting IAMCA Member Profile”, inclusion in upcoming “IAMCA Presents…” event, and more!!

TOOLS & RESOURCES:  

The ARCHIVES:  

*********CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION*******

The I.A.M.C.A. is committed to SUPPORTING LOCAL, INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM & REBUILDING REPRESENTATIVE LOCALISM.  We believe these two causes are inseparably linked, and an essential part of our mission to empower & uplift local, working class communities, across the country.

• “Without debate, without criticism, no administration and no country can succeed — and no republic can survive…. And that is why our press was protected by the First Amendment – the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution – not primarily to amuse and entertain, not to emphasize the trivial and the sentimental, not to simply ‘give the public what it wants’ — but to inform, to arouse, to reflect, to state our dangers and our opportunities, to indicate our crises and our choices, to lead, mold, educate and sometimes even anger public opinion.”    –John F. Kennedy

• “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”    -Thomas Jefferson

    In just the last 15yrs, employment opportunities for professional journalists has dropped by well over 70%, and currently in free fall, globally.  What has replaced local journalists investigating & reporting on the matters that directly affect our lives, are things like pre-packaged VNR’s (“video news releases”), produced by corporate marketing firms, a steady drumbeat of corporate PR spin, corporate lobbyists as expert guest commentators on broadcast news, “if it bleeds, it leads” type sensationalistic & cynical marketing ploys, to name just a few.

1. providing a member-supported, public platform alternative, committed to supporting local journalists, and quality investigative & public interest reporting
2. eliminating the corporate middle-man, entirely.  I.A.M.C.A. is a non-profit platform, so journalists & their supporters split the difference!
3. establishing a powerful springboard, advocacy & support base for local, independent journalists to build strong, successful careers.
4. offering grants, promotional support, and other opportunities for local journalists
5. providing member-access to effective career building tools & resources like “The IAMCA Tour Planner”, “Potluck Productions” support, an IAMCA Store account, a growing archive of “how-to” related features & other content, for beginners to experts, and other support
6. Your author profile included in your local “Independent Journalists Directory” & national database.
7. providing contributors access to “I.A.M.C.A. Nationwide” programming & promotional support opportunities.
8. and much more!!

Here’s some of what you will find at “The NEWS & INFORMATION Dept.”!!

LOCAL NEWS:  

NATIONAL NEWS:  

WORLD NEWS:  

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:  

ELECTIONS COVERAGE:  

CIVICS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS:  

MEDIA LITERACY:  

LOCAL SPORTS NEWS:  

SACK O’ ALMANAC:  

• Featuring “This Day in History”,  “Celestial Events”,  “Famous Birthdays”,  “Holidays & Observances”,  “Fun Facts for the Month”,  “Famous Quotes”, Monthly Symbols, Zodiac and more!!!

COMICS & PUZZLERS:  

EDITORIALS & COMMENTARY:  

THIS WEEK’s CONTRIBUTORS:  

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:  

•   
  • DOCUMENTARIES & LECTURES
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • CULTURE & COMMUNITY
  • IDEAS & INNOVATION
  • NATURE & HEALTH
  • KIDS FUN FEATURES

INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS DIRECTORY:

*See also the SPECIAL FEATURES Dept. for the following:

I.A.M.C.A. PRESENTS… 

POTLUCK PRODUCTIONS

I.A.M.C.A. NATIONWIDE

AUDIO/VIDEO-CAST DIRECTORY 

I.A.M.C.A. TOWN HALL

MEMBER POLLS

TOOLS & RESOURCES

The ARCHIVES

*********CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION*******

In a nutshell, The Community Hub is a fun & engaging way to discover, connect, share, and get involved, right in your own community!  Looking for a new social media alternative?  It’s called “turn the computer off, leave the phone at home, and actually get out and meet new friends, near you! 

Whether you’re seeking new bandmates,  opportunities,  local p-patches, car pools, morning walk partners, hobby clubs, community forums to join or start, to used item swaps, seeking to organize a block party, neighborhood kids Halloween trick or treater groups, to community projects, discover or post classified ads, local directories, upcoming workshops/classes/etc., you’ve come to the right place!! 

Here’s some of what you will find at The Community Hub!

*****************************************

The POSTIN’ POST:  

• I.A.M.C.A.’s local, independent arts & entertainment, news & information related, members-only community board. 
• Share media content, ideas, information, public announcements, and more!  Each episode of I.A.M.C.A.’s Weekly Edition features a “Members Choice Top 10 Picks” & “I.A.M.C.A. Staff’s Top 10 Picks” of member’s posts.

UPCOMING BLOCK PARTIES:  

• This is the place to share, organize, discover, & connect with neighborhood organized activities & events, near you, such as

  *  BLOCK PARTIES  *  POTLUCK in the PARK  *  NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILY FOOTBALL  *  HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES & EVENTS  *  WEEKEND BLOCK BBQ’s  *  MORNING WALK/JOG/BICYCLE GROUP MEET-UPS  *  BOOK CLUBS  *  NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE SALE DAYS  *  KIDS ACTIVITIES & EVENTS  *  and more!!!  

  Find out what’s happening near you this week, connect with neighbors, organize activities & events, discover members posts, articles, tutorials, tools & resources for everything from “how to organize a block party”, “navigating public events requiring permits, etc.”, to “ideas for fun, family-friendly get-togethers”, and much more!!!

The HOBBY-IN:  

• Whether you are looking for a hobby club to join, discover new interests, find a local roller rink, hobby shop, share a post, meet new or just stay updated on upcoming activities & events near you,  “The Hobby-In” is the place!

  *  CHESS TOURNAMENTS  *  SCI-FI CONVENTIONS  *  AV ENTHUSIASTS  *  GARDEN CLUBS  *  COMIC BOOK COLLECTORS  *  BIRD WATCHERS  *  BOWLING LEAGUES  *  GROUP TAI-CHI MEET-UPS  *  AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS  *  CRAFTS FAIRS  *  BOARDGAME CLUBS  *  and much more!!!

The ADVENTURE GUIDE:  

• Looking to connect with other adventure seeking partners, hiking groups, national parks & attractions, amusement parks, tour groups, local sports & recreation related events & activities, and others?  “The Adventure Guide” is the place for you!! 
• Includes a calendar of upcoming events & activities, local adventure related, IAMCA contributor programs, podcasts, articles, and other content, members-only community board, tools & resources, local directories, and more!!

NEIGHBORHOOD P-PATCHES:  

• Find or organize a P-Patch near you, announce upcoming activities & events!  Here you will find an events calendar, tips, tools & other resources, share gardening info, articles, etc, learn the “how-to’s” of organizing, permits, and more!
•  

The BULLETIN BOARD:  

COMMUNITY FORUMS:  

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES CALENDAR:  

I.A.M.C.A. U: Workshops & Classes:  

SWAP CIRCLES:  

BARN-RAISERS’ COMMUNITY GUILD:  

COMMUNITY OUTREACH & RESOURCES:  

IAMCA’s TOUR PLANNER:  

• Whether you are a local, independent artist/band, planning a cross-country tour to promote your new release, or planning a family vacation or roadtrip, this is the place for you!!

• Just enter your starting point & destination, dates, and other selectable interests, categories & search filters, and The IAMCA Tour Planner  connects you with related itinerary results, from IAMCA’s nationwide database of participating members,

  Discover & connect with en route venues, B&B’s/motels/rest stops, etc., national parks, local attractions, events & activies, local chapter links, and more!!

• IAMCA’s Tour Planner: Pro Plus” is specially designed, with addition features, perfect for touring independent artists, journalists, and other such professionals.   Includes additional tools, resources, promotional support features.  Connects your member profile with en route venues/booking agents,  local IAMCA Chapters, for inclusion in The Events & Activities Calendar, and consideration for an upcoming “Visiting IAMCA Member Profile”, inclusion in upcoming “IAMCA Presents…” event, and more!!

BUSKER BOOTHS:  

• TAKE YOUR SHOW ANYWHERE!!

      “BUSKER BOOTH Mini-Mainstages” are the eye-catching, full-featured, affordably rent-able, easy to assemble, portable stages (includes secure lock box w/ prominently displayed “donations” slot, for your tips & merch money), that takes your public performance to the next level, while helping support your local I.A.M.C.A.!!

      Perfect for parks, public spaces, town centers, store fronts, fairgrounds, backyards, block parties, special events, and more!!

  *DISCOVER UPCOMING BUSKER BOOTH EVENTS NEAR YOU!!  Visit page for calendar, featured artists profiles, and other details*

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER AUXILIARY:  

*********CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION*******

The I.A.M.C.A. is committed to REBUILDING of ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL LOCALISM.  Our goal is to provide the following:

1. a powerful springboard, advocacy & support base, and other essential tools & resources for local, small business communities, across the country, to be successful.
2. an off-ramp from the creeping corporatization of our communities, and
3. an effective means to build strong, healthy, resilient, diverse and sustainable, local economies, natural resources, environment & public commons.  

    When a corporate chain moves into a community, their standard business model generally entails driving out competition, in order to maximize profit.  The competition, in this case, often meaning long-established, inter-connected networks of locally owned “mom ‘n’ pop’s”, public markets, family farms, local printers, manufacturers, tool & dye shops, shop owners, handcraft artisans, repair shops, and all kinds of other small businesses & services.

    This is done in a multitude of ways, foremost among them being the ability to, initially, offer lower prices for goods & services than most small businesses are able to match, due to general “cost of doing business” expenses, and still stay in business.  The lower prices being offered, by these large corporations, are made possible, by way of undercutting their costs, through

• paying their employees the lowest wage possible,
• outsourcing the production of goods & services to countries whose workers are paid even more extreme subsistence, starvation wages,
• cutting employee hours,
• eliminating as many paid jobs as possible, through the use of automation,
• access to special tax breaks, subsidies and other resources, not readily available to your average local small business owner.
• seeking the externalization of costs, at tax-payer expense, through deregulation
• and various other (often publicly subsidised) means

   And as is so often the case with these large corporations/monopolies, their business model is also purely extractive & exploitative in nature, in regards to a community’s commons, laws, natural resources, labor, productivity, worker & public health & safety, and profits.  And, as characteristically, when a community’s wealth, resources & economy’s metaphorical “tank is tapped dry, stripped for parts, and abandoned on the roadside”, before moving on to the next host.

    The lion share of very penny you spend at a big chain goes right into the pockets of a handful of absurdly wealthy CEO’s & shareholders. When you support local small businesses, the lion share of every penny stays right here, in the community, circulating through the econony, creating more local jobs, opportunities, economic stability, resilience & diversity, wealth, and strong foundation for future generations.

    Communities that support local small businesses, on average, provide significantly more quality, stable, diverse, long-term, well-paying jobs, with better benefits, health, safety and quality of life outcomes, than communities that favor corporate chains, “big-box stores”, and other such services.  Period.

The I.A.M.C.A. is a 100% corporation-free zone!  Our partners are working families & individuals, and local, small business communities, across the country. IAMCA’s services, opportunities, advocacy & support are exclusive to our small business members. 

When a business grows beyond IAMCA’s guidelines for qualifying, “small business” status, it’s profile is included, in a place of honor, over at “The Graduates Board”, among other small business member alumni.  The business owner’s membership then defaults to an individual “basic membership” status. Graduating businesses are no longer eligible for “small business membership” specific perks, priviledges, access, support, as well as I.A.M.C.A. sponsorship opportunities. 

This is intended to eliminate any prospects for outsized & undue influence over our stated programming and public interest standards, etc., in favor of larger dollar sponsors.  Our mission is provide a level, accessible, equitable, diverse playing field for our local small business members.

Here’s some of what you’ll find at The LOCAL ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT Dept.!!

**********************************

MOM ‘n’ POP’s SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTORY:  

• Support your local economy & small business community!!  From established “mom ‘n’ pops to worker owned co-ops, handcraft artisans to small family farms to all manner of specialty trades, shops, manufacturers & services, you’ll find them here!!

FARMERS/PUBLIC MARKETS:  

• Discover or share upcoming farmers/public market events, activities, information & opportunities here!!  Includes a directory for local markets & participating vendors.

CONSERVATION & OUR COMMONS: 

The I.A.M.C.A. STORE: 

LABOR NEWS & INFORMATION:  

The CO-OP CONNECTOR:  

• The place to connect with others interested in organizing a worker-owned co-op!  Includes listings for your local co-ops.

SPRINGBOARD PROFILES:  

PARKS & PUBLIC SPACES:  

The GRADUATES BOARD:  

• The I.A.M.C.A. is a 100% corporation-free zone!  Our partners are working families & individuals, and local, small business communities, across the country. IAMCA’s services, opportunities, advocacy & support are exclusive to eligible small business members. 

  When a business grows beyond IAMCA’s criteria for qualifying, “small business” status, it’s profile is included, in a place of honor, over at “The Graduates Board”, among other small business member alumni. 

  The business owner’s membership then defaults to an individual “basic membership” status. Graduating businesses are no longer eligible for “small business membership” specific perks, priviledges, access, support, as well as I.A.M.C.A. sponsorship opportunities. 

  This is intended to eliminate any prospects for outsized & undue influence over our stated programming and public interest standards, etc., in favor of larger dollar sponsors.  Our mission is provide a level, accessible, equitable, diverse playing field for our local small business members.

PROMO-RAMA: 

*********CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION*******

I.A.M.C.A.’s WEEKLY EDITION:  

• Your I.A.M.C.A. chapter’s homepage is your weekly journal for “all things local”!!  Featuring content from local independent artists, journalists & other amazing contributors!  Including special features from “I.A.M.C.A. Presents…”, “Potluck Productions”, and I.A.M.C.A. Nationwide” and more!!

  Here’s some of what you’ll find!
  

  • LOCAL NEWS & INFORMATION
  • LOCAL ARTS & ARTISTS
  • “I.A.M.C.A. Presents…” SPECIAL FEATURES
  • EVENTS & ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
  • FEATURE PROFILES
  • CULTURAL ARTS, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
  • PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • I.A.M.C.A. TOWN HALL event coverage
  • LOCAL GOVT. & ELECTIONS COVERAGE
  • I.A.M.C.A. MEMBER POLLS
  • PLEDGE-A-THON & TALENT PAGEANT highlights
  • LOCAL SPORTS NEWS
  • EDITORIALS & COMMENTARY
  • SACK O’ ALMANAC
  • COMICS & PUZZLES
  • POTLUCK PRODUCTIONS features
  • VISITING I.A.M.C.A. MEMBERS PROFILES
  • POSTIN’ POST highlights
  • and other public interest programs

POTLUCK PRODUCTIONS:  

• A “Potluck Production” is an IAMCA members crowdsourced, collaborative production, event or activity. Here’s how it works:

  • Members submit project proposals to the Potluck Productions page’s community board.  There, you will also find other tools, tips & resources for helping members organize & facilitate the crowdsourced development of projects.
  • Project proposals that meet IAMCA’s public interest standards guidelines, are listed in ranked-choice vote order.  The “TOP 10 Members-Choice Picks” are included in the following I.A.M.C.A. “What-ta-Fund-a-Palooza” Poll for consideration.
  • I.A.M.C.A. sponsored Potluck Productions receive additional “IAMCA Weekly Edition” coverage, promotional and other support & perks.

I.A.M.C.A. Presents… :  

•     An “I.A.M.C.A. Presents…” production is a program, event or activity, brought to you by your local chapter’s in-house production team.  These productions fall into one of these categories:

   

  • “Weekly Edition” programs and other regular content like “IAMCA Feature Presentations”, “Visiting IAMCA Members Profiles”, editorials, local elections coverage, and more!
  • regular special events like the annual “IAMCA Pledge-a-thon & Talent Pageant”, “IAMCA Town Hall”, etc.
  • member requested programming, special features, coverage, events & activities.

I.A.M.C.A.’s TOWN HALL:  

MEMBERS POLLS:  

I.A.M.C.A. NATIONWIDE:  

• I.A.M.C.A. Nationwide represents each chapter’s members-choice best from across the country.  Members vote to nominate their favorite local, independent contributors for consideration, to be included in national, all-chapters programming line-up.  Submissions are selected by a panel, chosen by IAMCA Central boardmembers. Winning contributors receive additional local & national coverage, promotional and other support & special perks.

  When new local programming is unavailable, for a given category, on a local chapter’s homepage, content defaults to IAMCA Nationwide programming.

TOOLS & RESOURCES:  

The ARCHIVES:  

MEMBERS-CHOICE PROFILES:  

ANNUAL PLEDGE-A-THON:  

:  

****CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!****
 

As previously stated, The I.A.M.C.A. is, at it’s core, a community organizing tool. And as such, the kind of community organizers that most inspire us are great community organizers like Ella Baker, whose tireless work, vision, wisdom, and deep, abiding faith in the power of ordinary people & collective leadership is behind some of the most powerful and influential social justice movements and organizations, in our history. 

As a platform, I.A.M.C.A. aims to respond to her call for a movement supporting “the development of people who are interested not in being leaders as much as in developing leadership in others”. 

Our primary focus & function is to celebrate, empower & uplift participating communities , and provide essential tools, resources, and a public platform alternative, in support of current & future generations of Ella Bakers.

• Money out of politics.
• Universal Healthcare.
• Housing Justice.  Safe, clean, affordable, dignified housing for all. 
• Taking our communities & housing back from predatory, private equity & corporate landlords.
• Divest public subsidies from large corporations & reinvest in local small businesses, public markets, co-ops, and other jobs & opportunities.
• Net Neutrality
• Public Broadband
• Replace “1996 Telecommunications Act” with laws & regulations that support & protect local, independent ownership of media.
• Public service & community stewardship
• Social justice, community health, safety & well-being.
• Universal human rights.
• Community culture that celebrates its diversity.
• Workers’ rights, health, safety & well-being. Labor unions.
• The protection of journalism, journalists, journalistic freedom, safety, security, & justice.
• Fully-funded, quality public education
• Creating good paying jobs, opportunities and support for local, independent arts & artists,
• Environmental justice
• Protection & preservation of our cultural commons

A “Potluck Production” is an IAMCA members crowdsourced, collaborative production, event or activity. Here’s how it works:

• Members submit project proposals to the Potluck Productions page’s community board.  There, you will also find other tools, tips & resources for helping members organize & facilitate the crowdsourced development of projects.
• Project proposals that meet IAMCA’s public interest standards guidelines, are listed in ranked-choice vote order.  The “TOP 10 Members-Choice Picks” are included in the following I.A.M.C.A. “What-ta-Fund-a-Palooza” Poll for consideration.
• I.A.M.C.A. sponsored Potluck Productions receive additional “IAMCA Weekly Edition” coverage, promotional and other support & perks.

***CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!!****

Your I.A.M.C.A. chapter’s homepage is your weekly journal for “all things local”!!  Featuring content from local independent artists, journalists & other amazing contributors!  Including special features from “I.A.M.C.A. Presents…”, “Potluck Productions”, and I.A.M.C.A. Nationwide” and more!!

Here’s some of what you’ll find!

• LOCAL NEWS & INFORMATION
• LOCAL ARTS & ARTISTS
• “I.A.M.C.A. Presents…” SPECIAL FEATURES
• EVENTS & ACTIVITIES CALENDAR
• FEATURE PROFILES
• CULTURAL ARTS, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
• PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
• I.A.M.C.A. TOWN HALL event coverage
• LOCAL GOVT. & ELECTIONS COVERAGE
• I.A.M.C.A. MEMBER POLLS
• PLEDGE-A-THON & TALENT PAGEANT highlights
• LOCAL SPORTS NEWS
• EDITORIALS & COMMENTARY
• SACK O’ ALMANAC
• COMICS & PUZZLES
• POTLUCK PRODUCTIONS features
• VISITING I.A.M.C.A. MEMBERS PROFILES
• POSTIN’ POST highlights
• and other public interest programs!

  **CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!!**

I.A.M.C.A. Nationwide represents each chapter’s members-choice best from across the country.  Members vote to nominate their favorite local, independent contributors for consideration, to be included in national, all-chapters programming line-up.  Submissions are selected by a panel, chosen by IAMCA Central boardmembers. Winning contributors receive additional local & national coverage, promotional and other support & special perks.

When new local programming is unavailable, for a given category, on a local chapter’s homepage, content defaults to IAMCA Nationwide programming.

****CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!****

***CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!!***

***CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!!****

**CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!!**

**CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!!**

    The INDEPENDENT ARTS & MEDIA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is a member-supported, organized & operated central “community hub” for all things local.  It’s the place for:

• I.A.M.C.A. members, family, friends & neighbors.
• Non-profit organizations & programs serving the public interest.
• Community organizers, advocates, activists, mentors, volunteers & stewards.
• Participants & wallflowers 
• Friends & partners
• Community cultural arts, activities & events organizers
• Independent artists, musicians, authors, performers, filmmakers, & other talent.
• Contributing creators of public interest programming & other content.
• Local producers, engineers, technicians & other talent.
• Public art creators, parade designers to buskers.
• Events volunteers
• Local arts venues, theaters, museums, & other cultural arts centers.
• Aspiring new artists.
• Member-supported local news coverage
• Independent journalists, investigative reporters, commentators.
• Small, locally owned & independent broadcasters, publishers, podcasters, etc.
• Local documentarians, historians, fact-checkers, archivists.
• Contributing creators of public interest programming & other content.
• Local producers, engineers, technicians & other talent.
• Civics & media literacy educators.
• Aspiring new journalists
• Local, independently owned & operated, small businesses/services only.
• “Mom ‘n’ Pop’s” to worker owned co-ops.
• Farmers Markets to Public Flea Markets to P-Patches.
• Artisan hand-crafters to “small-batchers”.
• Aspiring new business owners
• Labor new & information
• Local conservation & our commons, environment, wildlife, parks & public spaces
• Community planners, organizers, advocates, volunteers & stewards.
• and, of course…

BASIC MEMBERSHIP:

• Access to all I.A.M.C.A. Special Features, programs, & services.
• Access to I.A.M.C.A. Archives
• Receive member NEWSLETTER, notifications of special public events, activities, programs, etc.
• Ability to participate in COMMUNITY FORUMS
• MEMBERSHIP CARD that entitles you to special discounts with participating local businesses, independent multi-media content creators, vendors, subscriptions, and more.

ARTISTS MEMBERSHIP:

• All BASIC MEMBERSHIP perks & privileges.
• Artist profile in the LOCAL ARTS & ARTISTS DIRECTORY
• EVENTS CALENDAR listings
• Products/services/subscriptions listings in “The I.A.M.C.A. STORE”, that links to your own site & online store.

JOURNALISTS MEMBERSHIP:

• All BASIC MEMBERSHIP perks & privileges.
• Journalist profile listing in the INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST DIRECTORY
• EVENTS CALENDAR listings
• Products/services/subscriptions listings in “The I.A.M.C.A. STORE”, that links to your own site & online store.

SMALL BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP:

• All BASIC MEMBERSHIP perks & privileges.
• Business profile listing in the LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTORY
• Special member discounts on ADVERTISEMENTS
• Products/services/subscriptions listings in “The I.A.M.C.A. STORE”, that links to your own site & online store.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS & PROGRAMS MEMBERSHIP:

• All BASIC MEMBERSHIP perks & privileges.
• Profile listing in the non-profit COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS DIRECTORY
• EVENTS CALENDAR listings
• Free & discounted ADVERTISEMENTS, and other promotional support.

***CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  CHECK BACK SOON!***

     The I.A.M.C.A. is intended to provide an effective springboard for local independent artist, journalists, & small businesses, with an emphasis on accessibility, equity & affordability.  In order to maintain a more level playfield, & protect against undue influence of sponsors of more abundant financial means, eligibility for promotional support & advertisement space is based on the following criteria:

• Must be local, independent & currently earning a gross income that qualifies as small business status.  Businesses that grow beyond the established threshold, receive a place of honor on I.A.M.C.A.’s “Graduates Billboard & Listings”, but are no longer eligible for advertisement space.