Introduction to the Foundation Labor@tory

Opening Document – We Open Wednesday, Dec. 12!  Skadden Arp Reception Dec. 18!

 The Labor@tory was conceived of as a collaboration between the two dozen NYC-based organizations the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation’s Stewardship Report on Connecting Goodness has focused on promoting.  The concept was to focus more on “spotlighting” our partners with less focus on non-partners.  The Foundation’s 100+ Global Advisors and interns support this effort, with one Foundation intern to be assigned to work exclusively through Stonehenge to coordinate our efforts.

Introduction to the Space & Annex.  Stonehenge has enabled the J. Luce Foundation use of temporary pop-up storefront space to use for non-profit endeavors in conjunction with its Labor@tory’s 24 non-profit-partners.  The two storefronts on Second Avenue between 60 & 61 Streets are to be known “Stonehenge/Luce Space” (1143 Second) and “Stonehenge/Luce Annex” (1159 Second).  For the remainder of 2012 the two spaces will be known collectively as the “Stonehenge Give Unto Others Nonprofit Holiday Pop-Up Collaboration Market” (“Give Unto Others”).  We will have two-foot wide vinyl banners made that say Stonehenge/Luce Space (gray & white – 8’), Stonehenge/Luce Annex (gray & white – 5’ and 7’), and Give Unto Others Nonprofit Holiday Pop-Up Collaboration Market (green & red – 12’).

Give Unto Others Market.  All partners are invited to provide goods and volunteers for our Holiday Market to be held in the Stonehenge/Luce Space.  Our Holiday Market will feature both holiday goods such as available from the gift shops of MoMA, Metropolitan, Rubin, Asia Society, and fair-trade handicraft gifts from NGOs working in Central and South America, South, East and Southeast Asia, West and Central Africa, etc.  If you have an interest in this part of our programming, please contact us with specifics.

Space Protocols.  Our “Space Committee,” comprised of representatives of our Foundation and partners, is finalizing our Operational & Administrative Protocols that enumerate conditions under which the space will be available.  In order to maintain the space and use it to its full potential, we will be providing guidelines for turn-key operations for space rental, reservation policies, signage requirements for a standardized look-and-feel, management supervision, cleaning the space after events, etc.  All space will be available on an at-cost basis, to be determined.  As Stonehenge is donating space, electricity, Wi-fi, etc., such costs are estimated to be minor yet allow the Labor@tory to remain sustainable.

 

Available Spaces.  The Space and Annex each contain areas for use that include Open Space (programming), Exhibition Space (galleries shown in blue above), and Booth Display Space.  Maximum fire code occupancy in each space is 75 people and must be strictly enforced.

• Open Space.  The Open Spaces will be ideal areas with risers (Space only) and theater seating (both Space & Annex) for presentations / performances panel discussions, press-conferences, book signings, video production, etc.  When the chairs are removed, the Open Spaces can be used for receptions.  When tables and chairs are added, for dining.
• Exhibition Space.  There is approximately 40’ of exhibition space each in both Labor@tory Space and Annex.  Tracks for hanging art will be installed along the top of the walls and potentially with track lighting.
• Booth Space.  We will have twelve Booths available to our partners on a rotating, thematic basis.  Our three partner categories are Children/Education & Animals (7), Culture (9), and Health & Social Justice (8).  Tentative Booth measurements: 2’ deep, 4’ wide, 10’ high.

Time Slots for Open Space Availability + Filler.  Times slots have been defined tentatively as Morning (8-11am, Lunch (12-1pm), Afternoon (2-5pm), Evening (6-9pm).  These times are flexible.  In the event that our partners have not booked space, we can fill by screening films that The Stewardship Report has reviewed.  We have several dozen local and international films available.  We are able to book events through mid-February at this point, and anticipate going beyond that.  We will share with Stonehenge in real time all partner space requests and they will share with their own tenants as they see a fit.

Partners (24), Friends (11), Funds (6) & Media Partners (3).  Labor@tory Partners include Alphabet Kids, Arts Students League of New York, Cambodian Living Arts, Career Bridges, Child School/Legacy High School, David Lynch Foundation, Fountain House, God’s Love We Deliver, Haitian Cultural Foundation, ICAMI Global Stress Initiative, Indo-American Arts Council, International Council for Caring Communities,  International University Center Haiti, Melvin Van Peebles Foundation, Neighborhood Housing Services of N.Y.C., Orphaned Starfish Foundation, Orphans International Worldwide, Osborne Association, Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association, Rubin Museum of Art, United Nations University, Year Up – New York, and Young Concert Artists.  Special Friends of the Labor@tory include American University of Afghanistan, Americas Society, Asia Society, Cornell Tech, Donaldson Adoption Institute, FDR Four Freedoms Park, Fonkoze/Zafèn, Smithsonian Institute Afro-American Museum, Training Centre for Development of Ex-Combatants (CEDAC), United Nations SRC Aux Antilles Club, Université de Notre Dame d’Haiti, and WebServes.  In addition, the Foundation has or anticipates seven Funds (Afghanistan, Haiti, India, Sri Lanka, Isaac J. Kassin Fund, and World Youth Initiative Fund.  Media Partners include Global Press Institute, Good News Broadcasting, and Media Line.  Open Space (programming, meals), Exhibition Space (gallery), and Booth Display Space, are available at cost to non-partners on an as-available basis.

Schedule.  Although we are only guaranteed the two storefront spaces through 2012, we will book through Feb. 24, 2013.  Please note that anything booked in 2013 is not guaranteed.

Although Space & Annex Booths and Galleries should adhere to the Labor@tory Themes & Sub-Themes, Space & Annex Open Space does not need to adhere to these.  The Open Space Reservations will be managed solely by Jim Luce.  Reservations need to be made initially through Jim working with our Foundation intern assigned to Stonehenge.

1. 1.       Children & Education (9).  Alphabet Kids, Cornell, Child School/Legacy High School, International University Center Haiti, Melvin Van Peebles Foundation, Orphaned Starfish Foundation, Orphans International Worldwide , Smithsonian Institute Afro-American Museum, United Nations University
2. 2.       Arts & Culture (9).  Arts Students League of New York, Cambodian Living Arts, Career Bridges, Fountain House Gallery, Haitian Cultural Foundation, Indo-American Arts Council, Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association, Rubin Museum of Art, Young Concert Artists
3. 3.       Health/Wellness & Social Justice (8).  David Lynch Foundation, FDR Four Freedoms Park, Fountain House, God’s Love We Deliver, ICAMI Global Stress Initiative, Neighborhood Housing Services of N.Y.C., Osborne Association, Year Up – New York

The Dining L@b.  The J. Luce Foundation’s vice president John Lee has offered to coordinate and, as needed, co-host The Dining L@b for our NGO partners.  Its mission would be to creating a warm, dynamic and caring community within our distinctive neighborhood, incorporating humanitarian work through food, art and culture by integrating healthy lifestyle and well-being through a series of programs with both NYC and global themes.

John envisions The Dining L@b as a collaboration with various consulates, embassies, and the U.N. to promote culture, cuisine, art, charitable causes, exchange and volunteer opportunities including Holiday L@b Trunk Shows spotlighting various artisan produce, fashion, accessories and holiday giving, Weekly Charity Reception & Dining to bring in designers showcasing innovative way of Charity Dining with donors and supporters, knowing all the proceeds go toward our NGO partners or other vetted organizations.

John wants to help create a vibrant uptown Manhattan pop up social gathering spot and fostering a close knitted caring and giving society.  Finally, John visualizes the showcasing of curated musical and art program, jazz and classical musical performances and charity cocktail hours, as well as movie and film events[i] for Stonehenge tenants.  Stonehenge is, coincidentally, also partnered with the James Beard Culinary Institute.

Space Set-Up.  We need to borrow 150 chairs and 12 folding tables through February – 75 chairs for each space.  Please let us know if your organization is able to loan us this folding furniture.

Public Relations.  Labor@tory PR is important for three reasons: 1) to let NYC & world know about this initiative of connecting goodness, 2) to publicize efforts of our NGO partners, and 3) to highlight Stonehenge’s commitment to Caring & Sharing.  Stonehenge’s PR firm will handle all PR with assistance from the J. Luce Foundation and our Labor@tory partners and their PR/social media departments.  Our technology partner WebServes has many ideas on ways to disseminate PR and other info via the Foundation’s website, The Stewardship Report and its Social Calendar, and via e-mail blasts and social media.  In addition, our partners can promote to their supporters living in 10065 and our interns could leaflet surrounding buildings with programming of interest.  Stonehenge is committed to making this a grand success and spreading the news of our partnership and the opportunity we are bringing to our 6,000 Stonehenge tenants and every New Yorker to make a difference.  We are confident our interesting, dynamic, changing, and inspiring programming will reach the tri-state through media, social media nd word-or-mouth.  Stonehenge will release a press-release that we invite your organizations to push out to your own contacts and through social media.

Insurance Challenge.  Our foundation needs to locate a short-term liability insurance policy immediately to run the two pop-up storefronts for our coalition of 24 non-profit organizations.  None of the brokers we know seem to be able to accommodate this.  Can anyone make any recommendations?  Thanks!

Your Comp Reception Tickets.  We have reserved complimentary tickets for three groups of people/organizations for our Tuesday, Dec. 18 (7-9pm) Year-End Champagne Reception honoring our Labor@tory Partners, Stonehenge, and two teenage Luce Leaders.  Our speakers have four tickets reserved for themselves and their organizations, our honorees including the 2012 Luce Leaders and professional firms being honored have three tickets each set aside, and our Labor@tory Partners and Special Friends have two tickets each.  Please let me know who will attend and their e-mail address so that we can place them on the security list.  The invite may be viewed here.  Thank you.

Video Set for Stewardship TV.  Our Stewardship Report is expanding to Stewardship TV with its own channel commencing tentatively in January.  The video set has been conceived as follows: four 3’ x 6’ risers (1’ tall) that collectively would measure 6’ x 12.’  We would have three sets of light-weight furnishing: a) 3 easy chairs with 3 side tables for coffee/water, b) announcer’s table (2.5’ x 5’), and c) podium.  Signage would be displayed on back wall, podium and table.  Big screen behind the stage with stage curtains.  Ceiling-mounted TV projector.  Spotlight bar with two spotlights.  4’ speakers on either side of stage.  Sound board to project the sound which connects to laptops for recording.  4 video cameras to record everything (hooked up to laptop).  2 hand-held mikes on stage, 1 for podium & 1 for audience; 3 level lavaliere microphones for sit down events.  In order to make this a reality, the equipment must be donated.