A group of filmmakers, Arts Impact Collaborative, came together to respond to a challenge. We've witnessed a continued erosion of support for the arts when an abundance of evidence shows that the arts are uniquely effective in enriching and sustaining individuals and communities. So we set out to tell stories—in places we don't normally hear about the arts—with people who are not usually front and center. The result? A new anthology of documentary films titled I Feel Myself to Be Part of Something. The inaugural films in the anthology will follow five distinct American communities (White Sulphur Springs, Montana; Española, New Mexico; Asheville, North Carolina; Oakland, California and Chicago, Illinois) and explore the impact of the arts—on their economies, their identities, and their sense of belonging.

Counter to entertainment industry norms, we are building a new model for distribution, in keeping with our organizing principles. With your support, each film will premiere through a groundbreaking Community First Distribution Model—prioritizing screenings in the very communities where the stories were filmed. Following each Community First screening, the collaborative will partner with regional film festivals, where applicable, prior to making the films available at no cost to local arts organizations and community centers throughout the country, accompanied by a screening guide and handbook to help spur local engagement, dialogue, and support.

We aspire to shift the conversation around the essential value of the arts in communities, and aim to do so through an organized, grassroots campaign that prioritizes access over elitism. This can only be done with your support.

All supporters will be invited to attend a community screening near you. To learn more about the film anthology, visit www.artsimpact.us

ARTS IMPACT COLLABORATIVE

By Arts Impact Collaborative

ARTS IMPACT COLLABORATIVE

I FEEL MYSELF TO BE PART OF SOMETHING: An anthology of films examining the impact of the arts in U.S. communities.

Team Members