Background and Vision

Background

About three thousand people from the Pacific Northwest go to Burning Man each year, and in the past several years these “burners” of the Northwest have developed into a thriving, year-round arts community. We see an increasing level of participation in collaborative art, theme camp fundraisers, cross-group socializing, and community-wide events such as SeaCompression and Critical Massive. In 2004, members of the local community discussed engaging to the next level: intentionally self-organizing to foster the spirit of Burning Man at the regional level. In response, a preliminary planning committee was developed to discuss how to create a Pacific Northwest non-profit corporation for burners, modeled after the Black Rock City Arts Foundation but retaining the uniquely collaborative flavor of the Pacific Northwest.

First Draft Vision and Mission Statement for Ignition NW

Vision Statement
Foster the Burning Man culture of radical self-expression, participatory art, and sustainable community in the Pacific Northwest. Build a strong community in which like-minded people can find each other, exchange resources, educate each other, and develop collaborative relationships and projects. By sustainable community, we specifically mean a community in which people interact now and in the future; that meets the diverse needs of its members; is sensitive to both the social and physical environment in which it is embedded; and contributes to a higher quality of life. It is safe and inclusive, well-planned, built & run, and offers equality of opportunity and good services for all.

Mission
Ignition NW is a non-profit corporation that fosters radical self-expression, participatory art, and sustainable community through regional events, information sharing and education, community space, and so forth for the Burner-based community in the Pacific Northwest.

Achieved through:

  • Organize regional events
    • Provide opportunities for collaboration
    • Art exhibition
    • Socializing
    • Fundraising for arts
    • Organize workshops
    • Arts
    • Business and finance, grant writing
    • Kid/family projects
    • How to Burning Man
    • Safety/health for burner related activities
  • Organize art exhibits
  • Offer organizational support for group and individual activities
    • Sharing resources
    • Insurance for events
    • Permits and licensing
  • Provide community space
    • Workshops
    • Meeting rooms
    • Social hub
  • Maintain information and communication resources: web site, newsletter, mailing lists