THE ART COOPERATIVE
A community of values for art, its makers & supporters
The pleasure of making, the joy of giving:
A sustainable connection
In March of this year I joined The Art Cooperative as a creative participant. The Art Cooperative is a partnership between active creative artists and financial supporters. This initiative helps artists to create, execute and organize works of art and art projects. In my case these are new compositions and performances.
Do you have an affinity with contemporary music? And do you now, occasionally or soon have access to money that is not immediately necessary for your own existence? Maybe you enjoy contributing to the creation of new work. This is now possible in a fiscally attractive context.
The Art Cooperative has recently been established as an official cooperative company. A community where people who make art as well as private individuals and companies that would like to support it financially, meet each other. A community of talent and resources to facilitate the arts. The fundamental difference with a foundation or crowdfunding is the lasting connection between makers and givers.
The Art Cooperative would like to expand. Enthuse more artists who will participate in this community and find more people or companies who would like to contribute to the creation of visual work, music or dance (performances). It’s all about creating things of value together and learning from each other. In this way, together we establish and maintain a livelihood for artists.
The first Project that I will do, working from The Art Cooperative, will be
Wayland’s Song:
British screenwriter/writer Philip Greenacre wrote an epic poem about Wayland the blacksmith, based on an old English/Scandinavian myth about a Norse elf, Wayland/Vǫlundr.
The libretto is called Wayland’s Song and tells of the wanderings of Wayland, the mythical goldsmith and armourer who made the chainmail that protected Beowulf, as well as the legendary sword of King Arthur named Excalibur. Wayland falls passionately in love with Allwiss, a swan maiden from Valhalla who takes human form. After brief happiness with his Swan-princess, Wayland is challenged by evil and, blinded by pride and anger, he loses everything he holds dear. Ultimately, after being doomed to wander in eternity, Wayland is left with nothing but his hard work and the hope of redemption and reunion with his loved one.
A story of wings and falls, of heart and soul, of finitude and eternity. Wayland’s Song is, besides a story of human shortcomings, also a story of Devine possibilities, hope and longing.
I have set this ‘libretto for a a cantata’ to music. It will eventually be performed by 2 soloists, a small choir/ vocal ensemble, and an instrumental ensemble (clarinet, cello, piano and bass guitar). I aim to complete this composition/ full score by November 2024. Between mid-November 2024 and January 2025, I will be recording some parts of the composition for presentation purposes. To be able to do that, I am looking for financial support/ funding for this stage of the project.
Would you like to participate in the creation of this piece or my composing in general? Become part of our innovative initiative!
You can become a member by transferring 10 EURO to The Art Cooperative bank account. Your actual contribution to support my project(s) can also be transferred to the same account. In that case, please specify: contribution Jessie Ehlhart. The Coordinates are:
De Kunstcoöperatie U.A.
IBAN: NL57 TRIO 0320 8624 02
BIC/SWIFT: TRIONL2U
Registered address: Eerste Weteringdwarsstraat 34-3L, 1017 TN AMSTERDAM
For more information: Please CONTACT us
What started in 2014 as an informal ‘Art Cooperative’ has been a Chamber of Commerce registered Cooperative enterprise since March 15, 2024. We are very pleased with the first company participations of De Beeldhouwwinkel C.V. and the Sleipnir Foundation.
KvK-nummer 93265840