Kickstarter

Wait, what's this all about?

The Serie Project is a nonprofit art organization based in Austin, TX. Each year, a group of 10 or so artists is selected to participate in our residency program to create a limited edition of hand-pulled silkscreen prints. We work out of a cute little house in southeast Austin, so that's where the artists stay for the week they are here. Along with free housing, we also provide them with all the materials they could possibly need to create their print including ink in every color imaginable, paper of all types, screens, squeegees, etc.  Because we try to promote the screenprinting technique to artists who work in all mediums, we also have a Master Printer on hand to guide them through the process, solve any screenprinting problems, and help them carry out their design to the fullest potential.

To be able to provide all of this for the artists, the majority of our funding relies on the grants we get from the City of Austin and the State of Texas. Recently, budgets for agencies who provide grants for art-based nonprofits have faced severe reductions at the state and city level. This has directly impacted all Texas and Austin-based art organizations that rely on this money to operate and carry out their missions. Needless to say, this has been a hard year for us.  In addition to the grant cuts, our print sales, where we get the money to fund our remaining operation costs, have dropped as well. Part of the Serie Project's mission is to sell our collection of prints to various art institutions like museums and universities, as well as to the public. This not only promotes the screenprinting medium but the artist as well.  Unfortunately, many museums and universities are not acquiring new works at this time, making it difficult for us to carry out this part of our mission and stay afloat financially. We're looking for alternate ways to make ends meet, and this is where you come in!

Where exactly is my money going to? It seems like I get a lot in return!

If you decide to help us out, your money would go directly towards the operating costs of the studio as well as exhibition proposals. This means replenishing inks and paper (we go through a lot of these!) and providing for the cost of a Master Printer (who is absolutely invaluable to the production process). Applying for exhibitions also costs money. These are essential venues to promote and display our collection of prints, however, most juried exhibitions (themed exhibitions put on by museums, galleries, universities, city halls, etc.) have application fees that range from $20-$30. This seems like a small amount of money, but it adds up quickly since we try to display in as many spaces possible. Your contribution, however small, would help a lot and would not go unrecognized! Our reward system is as follows:

$5 or more - Your name and a huge thanks will be on the homepage of our website for everyone to see your support and generosity!

$10 or more - You will receive a 5"x7" giclee card and envelope with a past Serie Project image printed on it, as well as that huge thanks on our website.

$25 or more - A hand-pulled silkscreen 2012 calendar will be sent to you. Oh, and that mention on our website!

$50 or more - A commemorative hand-pulled silkscreen print made for this Kickstarter project will be mailed to you, and you get a thanks on our site.

$75 or more - You get the calendar, Kickstarter print, and the online thank you!

$100 or more (limit 25) - We will mail you a limited edition print designed and signed by our founder and prominent Latino artist, Sam Coronado, and a thank you on our website.

$250 or more - You can choose any Serie print from the last four years from our website and we'll ship it to you (priced at $250 online) as well as a calendar and thanks on our site.

$500 or more (limit 10) - If you happen to be in the Austin area, this would be great for you! A private class for two at Coronado Studio to learn the art of screenprinting. This also includes help with the design and all materials required to each create a run of 30 prints.  You'll additionally receive a Kickstarter print and thank you online.

$700 or more (limit 10) - You can commission a print at Coronado Studio! All materials, labor, etc. will be provided to create an edition of 50, 22"x30", 4-color prints of your design. You'll also be mentioned in our online thank you.

$5,000 or more - If you love our project enough to donate this much, you get the whole shebang! The 5"x7" card, 2012 calendar, Kickstarter commemorative print, limited edition Sam Coronado print, private class for 2, a commissioned print, as well as FIVE Serie Project prints from any year, and a massive thanks on our website!

You mention Coronado Studio a lot. What's the connection?

Coronado Studio is the commercial printing facility that was founded alongside the Serie Project by Sam Coronado. It's the physical location where every Serie Project print is created, but the studio also takes on many screenprint commissions by artists, businesses, and individuals. The Serie Project is the nonprofit organization and Coronado Studio provides the space to produce our prints.

There's this great Mexican American museum in Austin... Have you contacted them for support?

You are probably thinking of the Mexic-Arte Museum. We have a very close relationship with Mexic-Arte as our founder, Sam Coronado, also co-founded that museum! Mexic-Arte is one of our biggest supporters, hosting our permanent archives and selling many of our prints in their gift shop. You can also view parts of our collection in their annual Young Latino Artists exhibition.

This sounds like such a great organization! I want to help out even more!

And that you can! Our extensive internship program provides us with the interns that are crucial to our organization. If you have a background in screenprinting, Art History, or just have a huge passion for the arts, please do not hesitate to apply! Our small but dedicated group consists mainly of interns who are given tons of freedom and leeway to accomplish their goals for the Serie Project. We'd love for you to join our team!