Thanks for making Trade School 2011 possible. We're doing 16 classes at the Whitney Museum next Friday night (March 25th), and it'd be nice to see you all there!

Please go to http://tradeschool.ourgoods.org/whitney and sign up by agreeing to bring an object you've made.

If you aren't free on the 25th, and you still haven't been to Trade School at 32 Prince Street, make sure you come before we close on April 17th!

Hello!

Trade School classes begin on Wednesday, February 2nd at 32 Prince Street, NYC. Your donations helped us secure an amazing space (an old classroom in Nolita) for 2.5 months!

Here’s a sample of upcoming classes and a sample of barter items you'll need to bring:

Learn about Coptic Sewing if you bring grant editing, or graphic design help. Learn how to Squat the Condos if you bring a bunch of green mangoes. Learn about The Utopian Promise of 19th c. Design Schools for Women if you bring "an Object of Possibility." Learn about Grassroots Community Organizing Basics if you bring homemade pickles, local beer, or recipes. Learn about Basic Social Work Principles for Social Practice Artists if you bring socks or vegan fare. Learn about Self Producing 101 if you bring a yoga workout or homemade bread. Learn how to Build a Bonafide Business if you bring something funny and transit related. Learn how to Make Herbal Concentrates if you bring help finding gardening space in Brooklyn. Learn about Justice! Philosophy of Economic and Social Equality if you bring seeds from your favorite plant. Learn about Feng Shui 101 if you bring gemstones or a surprise. Learn about HDSLR Filmmaking if you bring a vinyl record or art.

Sign up to attend or teach a class at http://www.TradeSchool.ourgoods.org

We can't wait to see you there.
xTrade School

HOORAY! With just over two days left, we reached our goal. Thank you to all 233 of you. Anything we raise from here on is icing on the cake!

Smiling,
Caroline, Rich, and Louise

PS: You will hear from us in the coming days and weeks about potential classroom sites, classes and teachers.

This update's photos:

Master rockmaker Hannah Rawe introduced students to the art of creating miniature meteorites. The class used techniques implemented by the Museum of Natural History.

Rocio Rodriguez Salceda entertained fledgling Spanish students with a bucket full of fancy sangria, stories from the Spanish Civil War, and gender-specific word play in the Spanish language.

Lead learner Huong Ngo demonstrates how to make a simple stretcher bar loom and basic weaving techniques.

At a week left we have only $1335 left to raise! Let's take it to the finish line!

Caroline, Rich and I are continuously blown away by the generosity of our backers and the kind people who've been tweeting us and helping us spread the word. A hundred thank you's from us!

We've been in touch with many enthusiastic teachers-to-be as well. Several specialists in fields we would never have thought to approach are planning classes with us for the fall. Classes like:

- How to wire your house correctly (to be taught by a certified electrician)
- How to start your own farm
- Music theory and experimental composition techniques
- Mastering strange sounds in Mandarin Chinese

It is incredibly exciting to even think about what Trade School 2 could offer. We will make it happen!

See you at the finish line!

This update's photos:

1. Christine Wang's Collaborative Chinatown Food Tour (meat lover's version)
2. Amanda Matles' composting class, here she is holding up a handful of vermicompost (photo by Alex Mallis: alexmallis.com)
3. Justin Kazmark's Scrabble Strategy for Beginners

We are just about half way there, with 25 days left! This means we will be raising just over $4500 in about three weeks, and we hope you can help us get there.

A big "Thank you!" to our many new backers! We are excited to see many supporters pledging for the new rewards, and also excited to hear more and more people voice their interest for a Trade School in their city. In the next few weeks we'll be putting together a short PDF/micro-site on how to best replicate Trade School's methods in other locations.

In the meantime, let's rev it up for the last stretch. Please tweet, retweet, or email our efforts to get Trade School running again for the fall!

Louise

This update's photo: A pan of Ellie Iron's class, "Drawing for Pleasure and Relaxation". Ellie led students through several drawing exercises -- in the dark, with sticks, with wire and with their own shadows. You can see more photos from Ellie's class at our Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ourgoods/sets/72157623391669809/

Hello folks,

At 44 days left we still need just under $5,700 to hit our mark. Please help us get there by telling your friends who would love to see Trade School happen again. I know we can do it!

We're also happy to present our supporters a few new pledge options. If you've already pledged and would like one of these rewards, please adjust accordingly!

$10 - Credit on the site, and a PDF of web design tips from one of our classes back in February.
$20 - Join Caroline on a mushroom tour in NYC in the fall, and a link from the TS site.
$30 - A hand-made hand-warmer filled with rice and lavender, and a link from the TS site.
$40 - Louise will draw a portrait of you or a loved one, and you'll get a link from the TS site.
$60 - Get your initials engraved into our furniture, your picture hung up in the room, and a link from the TS site.
$175 - We'll place your business cards next to our big chalkboard, get your picture hung up in the room, and place your link from the TS site. This is a good option for personal or small business owners interested in "advertising" in the space.

We also have a couple of events lined up in June and September. If you are in these areas please drop by and say hello to us:

June 3 - Caroline will be speaking at The Walker Art Center about community and cultural commons.
June 5,6 - We will be sharing a space with BurdaStyle at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn, New York.
September 25,26 - We will be part of MakerFaire in Queens, New York.

Thanks so much for your support, and we will keep in touch!

Louise

This update's image: A pan of artist and author Amy Whitaker's class on economics, called "Business School for Artists." Amy touched on the many moving parts and principles behind the economic collapse and non-profit business models.

We are fast approaching 100 backers and we've reached 30% of our goal! Let's keep the momentum going!

The three of us will be meeting soon to discuss some more rewards options for our backers, specifically for backers who pledge $100 or under. Is there anything you would like to see here that we haven't offered? Let us know by emailing or messaging us, or commenting right here on this update. We are looking forward to hearing your ideas!

By the way, ALL rewards $25 and over include a link from the "Funders" section on our website. Just wanted to clear that up!

Thanks everyone!

Louise

PS: Each update from here on will include a photo of a class held in February, to give backers a glimpse of what went on. In this picture, teacher Anna Larson is showing students how to practice Pilates while seated in their office chairs. Stay tuned for more!

Holy smokes! Three days into the campaign and we are at $1,239 and 49 backers. We are on our way! A great big thank you to all our backers -- all this profound generosity has blown us away.

In the meantime, if you could, please tell your friends about our effort to restart Trade School. Email, blog, or tweet... let's spread the word!

Until then,
Louise

PS: Also, see us in one of GOOD's recent blog posts -- http://www.good.is/post/trade-school-help-it-reopen/

Welcome to our Kickstarter campaign! This is our first update, hopefully to be followed by many more. We are constantly working towards a fall re-opening, planning Trade School events and gathering resources and volunteers. Come visit us at http://tradeschool.ourgoods.org to see what's up, check out our videos: http://vimeo.com/ourgoods, or check out pictures from past classes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ourgoods

Thanks!
Louise