Artist Caroline Woolard, co-founder of OurGoods.org and TradeSchool.coop, two barter economies for cultural producers, will discuss the theory and practice of barter (while erasing money). Barter occupies a grey area between gift giving and market transactions, creating potential for relationships based on mutal credit (not mutual debt). This workshop will discuss contemporary and historic barter communities: from myths of haggling savages to accounts of societies run on mutual aid. Participants will connect with potential barter partners and discuss the problems and possibilities of building trust, negotiating value, communicating clearly and getting projects done without money or aquiring debt. This event is organized in conjunction with the exhibition To Have and To Owe.

COST: food, drink, or help cleaning up
RSVP: Caroline@OurGoods.org

Caroline Woolard is an interdisciplinary artist and co-founder of OurGoods.org and TradeSchool.coop, two barter economies for cultural producers. Exploring solidarity economics and civic engagement, her work is collaborative and takes many forms—sculptures, websites, workshops, installations and performances. This work has been supported by the Whitney Museum, the Walker Art Center, Cooper Union, a MacDowell Colony fellowship, a Watermill Center residency, Esterni Milan, the optimism of strangers, unemployment benefits, and grants from iLAND, The Field and the Rockefeller Cultural Innovation Fund. Woolard is currently teaching at the New School, doing a Fellowship at Eyebeam: Art and Technology Center, and is a coordinating member of SolidarityNYC.org, an organization that seeks to connect, support, and promote grassroots economic justice groups in New York City.