Today, July 4th is the day U.S. citizens celebrate their independence.  The 4th of July is one of those great American holidays that crosses all cultural, social and religious divides in the States: no matter where you originate from or where you live now, no matter by what name you call your god(s), if you’re an American, this is your day to be a part of that great and ongoing experiment we call the U.S. of A.  It’s also a great day to declare yourself free of …well, whatever. 

So, as a native born American, with dual citizenship in the Netherlands now, today is as good a day as any, to declare myself – and BizArts – free to take a couple of months off to …well, ‘go fishing’, in a metaphorical sense. 

It’s been over a year since a small group of compatriots joined me for the first site visit to a potential BizArts location.  The building was glorious, and still is…but not available for ALL of our network, so we had to walk away from it. One for all and All for one, you know.  Since then, various patient souls have joined me on multiple site visits, all of which were wonderful in many ways, but lacking one or more important aspects that would make any of them the right ‘all-purpose’ space we’re looking for.  We’ve climbed up stairs, and over builders’ debris.  We’ve enjoyed nice views, and navigated dubious alleys.  It’s been a roller coaster ride, to put it lightly.  The good news is: we/I’ve learned a lot about what we’re really truly looking for.The bad news is: we haven’t located the place for BizArts to call home yet.   And this will not be news to those who’ve made the journey with me thus far: I need a vacation!

So today’s announcement is: if you’re one of the teachers, ZZP’ers, theater groups, or artists hoping to join us in the fall in our new home…I’m sorry to say it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. I need to say this now, so that you have time to make other plans for the September start of your season or class schedule.  I hope you find great places to go, and great partners to work with in the coming months.  Please do let me know where you land, and I’ll post it here and elsewhere.  BizArts and I will keep supporting you, wherever you are.

In the meantime, I’m going to ‘dial it down’ a bit…take some time to replenish my own creative resources…while using the summer days to visit some of Amsterdam’s great exhibits and festivals and museums and events.  To ‘go fishing’ for new ideas and partners, and new ways to build the BizArts network…and eventual home.  Hopefully, I’ll have the chance to see some of you and your work while I’m at it. 

But while we may be down for the summer, I’ll be keeping a gentle pressure on the BizArts effort.  After all, there’s still a lot of empty real estate in this fine town, and a lot of great people who need room to work and play and create together.  I’m looking forward to it, and hope you are too.

Wishing you a warm, sunny, creative summer,
Donna DuCarme
Director, BizArts Amsterdam