HCAOG awarded multimedia grants to seven artists / organizations to help tell housing stories. Project descriptions and links to the completed work, as available, are below.
Humboldt is Home
By Sequoyah Faulk-Kellog
This moving 19-minute documentary humanizes the housing crisis by encouraging the viewer to see people experiencing homelessness as our neighbors who also call Humboldt home.
Original music produced by Sequoyah Faulk with lyrics and melodies written by: Zera Starchild, Gage ATG Anderson, and Francis Verges.
A Woman's Place is In Her Home
By Arcata Playhouse
The project will fund additional viewing opportunities of a previously written and recorded play “A Woman’s Place is in Her Home.” Videos of the play are now available to view here. The project also funded the release of a new song by Lyndsey Battle titled "I Used To Be Someone."
Homeward
By Arcata Playhouse
With a team of seven outreach workers and additional funding from the California Arts Council, the Arcata Playhouse was able to rent a space from January to June 2023. Our Space was able to offer participants a safe place to create, be and give their feedback on housing solutions. See the final report, community meeting notes, idea board, and ground rules. Press about Our Space here. Check out the Our Space Art Studio Zine here.
Creating the Grove
By Arcata House Partnership
The Grove is a 60-unit affordable housing complex located in the Valley West neighborhood of Arcata. The project was funded by California's Homekey 2 program and has 24 hour on-site staff, case management, laundry and a community room. This project funded a 3-part video series outlining the need, the vision, and the occupancy of The Grove. Watch Part 1 The Need Part 2 The Vision Part 3 Occupancy
Housing Insecurity: A Humboldt Community Comic Book
By Taylor Snowberger (primary grant recipient), Contributors: Alex Hilsee, Liz Valasco, Sean Powers
A 25-page comic book illustrating situational homelessness and other challenges of finding safe, affordable housing in Humboldt. The project also sponsored workshops and artist collaborations, culminating in a night of performance. Click here to view the PDF of the comic book.
A Portrait of Place
By James Adam Taylor
A multimedia series featuring photography, audio, and short video clips to highlight the complex and challenging nature of housing in our community. The “Portraits of Place” subjects include those navigating housing insecurity, paying particular attention to the fact that this is a diverse group that includes a broad swath of community members. Portraits also include those working towards growing the housing supply, trades people and the construction technology. The final project is summarized in this booklet.
Studio 95501
By Margaret Kellerman
This is a sculpture installation made using unusual, creative materials. The full-scale model demonstrates model units that could shelter homeless families. Once installed, participants will be invited to provide feedback about how such a model could be used to address homelessness. See the photo gallery of the Open House event from October 28, 2023 at the Jefferson Community Center.