239
Backers
$9,133
pledged of $9,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Mar 29, 2010 -
Jun 26, 2010
- 2 created · 3 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: ourgoods.org
Pledge $1 or more
8 backers
We will write you an email to thank you personally.
Pledge $5 or more
46 backers
We will credit your name on the Trade School website's "Funders" section.
Pledge $10 or more
13 backers
We will credit your name on the Trade School site and send you a PDF of web design tips from one of our classes in February.
Pledge $15 or more
52 backers
We will credit your name on the Trade School site "Funders" section and link to you.
Pledge $20 or more
26 backers
Join Caroline on an NYC mushroom tour in the fall, and we will also link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $25 or more
27 backers
We will send you a postcard of our new, completed classroom in New York City. Plus, link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $30 or more
2 backers
We'll send you a hand-made hand-warmer filled with rice and lavender, and also link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $40 or more
9 backers
Louise will mail you a drawn portrait of you or your loved one, and we will also link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $50 or more
8 backers
We will hang a picture of you in our new classroom.
Pledge $60 or more
6 backers
We'll engrave your initials in our furniture, and send you digital photos of the engraving. Plus, hang a picture of you in our new classroom, and link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $100 or more
8 backers
We will send you a unique recipe by chef and Trade School teacher Athena Kokoronis. Plus, hang a picture of you in our new classroom, and link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $150 or more
4 backers
We will organize a class around a theme you're interested in, and send you digital photos (and video, if possible) of the class. Plus, hang a picture of you in our new classroom, and link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $175 or more
0 backers
We will place your business cards by the chalkboard. Plus, hang a picture of you in our new classroom, and link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $200 or more
1 backer
Caroline will give you the pattern for the Work Dress, the original project that started OurGoods and Trade School: http://ourgoods.org/workdress. Plus, hang a picture of you in our new classroom, and link to you from the Trade School site.
Pledge $500 or more
1 backer
We will make you a replica of a Trade School desk or chair, available for pick up from Brooklyn or Manhattan. Plus, hang a picture of you in our new classroom, and link to you from the Trade School site.
Creator OurGoods.org on March 18, 2011
We may run a campaign this summer to raise money to make barter-for-education software so that Trade Schools could open anywhere! Would you help us raise money for that?
Creator Carmel Suttor on March 1, 2011
I agree with other posters that this is a fantastic idea. I've looked to see whether something like this exists in Toronto, but haven't found it.
Creator OurGoods.org on January 26, 2011
At the moment, the software we use to coordinate Trade School barters is not ready to be shared. We are trying to get a grant to develop that software. Until then, you should come and visit us in NYC to get a sense of how the space feels, what the classes are like, and how to organize/run events.
We emphasize:
* Practical Skills (action over abstraction, enthusiasm over experts)
* Reciprocity (everyone has something to share: anyone can teach, everyone can 'afford' the barter because it includes labor)
* Rigor + Humility (unempowering and empowering work for all)
* Community Space (share food/tea, make furniture, you know the organizers because we are sitting in class with you)
How we work:
* Design for the community you are part of (it's easy to make bad decisions if they don't effect you) [at the end of school we met with all our students/teachers]
* Work in a Small Group (each person added to the group doubles the amount of time it takes to make a decision. ex: 6 people for Trade School, but really 3 people plus students/teachers)
* Your idea/experience is as good as the web interface that connects people to it (18,000 people looked at TS in 35 days, which translates to 800 coming through the door in 35 days)
Creator comfortndrew (deleted) on August 27, 2010
This comment has been removed by Kickstarter.
Creator Samantha Wright on August 23, 2010
This is such a fantastic idea. Is there a model for taking this idea to other places, countries? It would be great if you could assemble a kit or online platform to take this global!
Creator Michael Mandiberg on June 25, 2010
congrats on reaching funding!
Creator Roshaunda Cade on June 24, 2010
Congratulations!!
Creator OurGoods.org on June 24, 2010
We did it! Thanks to all of you!
Creator Jarslow on June 24, 2010
$9002! I feel so good!
Creator Caroline Woolard on June 20, 2010
Thank you! We are SO close.
Creator Bryan Markovitz on June 20, 2010
Just kicked in a little more to get us to the goal!
Creator Abuster on June 5, 2010
I think it sound interesting...I wish I lived closer!
Creator Caroline Woolard on June 5, 2010
Place no limits on re-thinking value! Barter expands possible rationales for exchange: ethical, environmental, and social. We are trying to give more room to people who want to value each other, but we are not trying to abolish the dollar. Running a storefront in NYC to re-think value, we realize that infrastructure costs money. For example, Freecycle's has an organizational budget of $140,000 a year. In my life, I hope to be compensated in a hybrid economy of barter items, dollars, and respect.
Creator Abuster on June 4, 2010
I guess there is a limit to re-thinking value!
Creator Sinohui Hinojosa on May 29, 2010
Wow, that would be terrific, be happy to help out with the SF school.
Creator OurGoods.org on May 27, 2010
Hi James: Carl, one of our own, moved to San Francisco just last year and is actively pursuing a plan to run Trade School there. We've had interested people in major cities throughout the country contact us to set up Trade School Philadelpha or Trade School Portland -- and we'd certainly be into making that happen! Perhaps we can run the SF school and see how the process of adapting to a local city works out.
Creator James Adams on May 24, 2010
Wish there was one in LA :(
Creator Sinohui Hinojosa on May 18, 2010
Best of luck to you guys, I teach digital filmmaking here in San Jose and have over $160 students, matter of fact I am doing a workshop tomorrow on the nuts and bolts of making a short film. We have had over 25 events so far including hands on training on cinematography and lighting workshops and we have never charged for a class - all part of our "Pay It Forward Filmmaking" program. We have a Meetup group here: http://www.meetup.com/Emerging-Artists-San-Jose-Digital-Filmmaking-Group/
I have faith that you will make your goal, let me know if you ever want a digital filmmaking class I would happily find a reason to head over to NYC if you are interested.
Cheers!
Creator Amanda Faye on May 10, 2010
Have you guys checked out pepsi's refresheverything.com as well. They have a contest for ideas such as this and there are four different funding levels you can compete in. Just a thought.
Really hoping this will happen again since I'm now in NY and can totally attend and maybe even lead a workshop. This reminds me so much of the awesome student led classes we had at UC Berkeley. I learned some of the most useful information for my life/career in those classes.
Creator Christopher Robbins on April 9, 2010
I ad an amazing experience at Tradeschool. I taught a session on a topic very close to my heart, learned about community organizing and how to make fake rocks, and found some great people out of it. I am happy to support this, and know that everyone should. So much comes out of it, in terms of skills, friendships, and new initiatives...
Creator Caroline Woolard on April 1, 2010
Ellen, good points. I bet other people are wondering the same things.
I hope this helps...
I have to give cash to support a barter system?!
It's true, we can't run solely on barter. Until landlords starts accepting art and design work for rent, we're stuck in the cash economy. I was able to spend all of my waking hours at Trade School in February because I was getting unemployment money, but that ran out! For those people who feel weird donating money, we'd love donations in the form of time and resources (see "Barter With Us" on http://tradeschool.ourgoods.org/).
Where does the $ go?
The $9,000 goes towards materials and part of the coordinator position, but the space will be donated (or, put another way, the space is bartering with us for exposure and connections to the Trade School community). We have offers to use a space off the Bedford L train and the Bergen F/G trains, but we're open to other spaces as well, especially in Manhattan.
What if I want to teach at Trade School?
Just email us (info@ourgoods.org) with a description of the class and the barter items you'd like from students in exchange for instruction. We'll get in touch with you when we start organizing the calendar for September.
Creator Ellen M on April 1, 2010
I love barter based economies and I think this is a cool project! Curious about one thing. It's not clear from your posting where the $9000 funding goes. You are paying for a coordinator, some materials...but in your pledges you are talking about a new classroom...Can you clarify? It is clear that one can't do something like this completely purely without encountering the currency economy.
Also I was interested that your list of premiums doesn't include any exchange of free services or teaching or opportunity to teach. I guess that makes sense in the "no money changes hands" way (you can't pay your way in, even as a donor). Wondered if that entered your thinking on premiums, because I'd probably do this for the opportunity to learn something from someone (perhaps outside of trade school)? Or to actually attend a class on the theme of my choice or have a private session or consult with a trade school teacher on something cool.
On another front--would love to participate (both teaching and learning and possibly organizing) so looking forward to learning more!
Creator OurGoods.org on March 31, 2010
Wow. Thanks Thysz (in the Philippines!). It's really inspiring to feel supported by such incredible individuals. Looking at the personal projects of our backers, I think we have a ton of potential material for classes at Trade School 2. I can't wait.
Caroline
Creator thysz estrada on March 31, 2010
What a great idea guys and from half way around the world here in the Philippines, I am now thinking of ways on how to effectively make this here. Adult education is important!
Creator Micah on March 31, 2010
Incredible endeavor! Met fantastic people and learned amazing things. I can hardly wait for more!
Creator Amy Whitaker on March 30, 2010
I taught at Trade School, and can't recommend the place -- or the people running it -- more highly.
Creator OurGoods.org on March 30, 2010
Trade School is definitely something that could - and should - happen in other cities. We're using Kickstarter as much to raise funds as to gauge interest in the school. We're hoping that this will become a large part of how we identify cities that have enough interest to support Trade School and provide funding to launch those schools.
Creator Lynde on March 30, 2010
I just wanted to let you guys know this is an awesome concept. Is there a way to get schools like this started in other cities?