Our Story
Founded by photographer Nina T. Becker, The Mobile Pinhole
Project brings innovative, experiential photography workshops to youth
across the city of Los Angeles using the VanCam, a van retrofitted into a
giant pinhole camera. What began as a sketch of a pinhole camera on a napkin has evolved into a dynamic mobile arts organization with dedicated, all-volunteer staff. We are about to begin our first series of workshops, and we are asking you - friends, family, and supporters of the arts - for your help!
Our Goal: Raise $10,000 by 10/1/2011
We are using IndyGoGo, an online, crowd-based
fundraising platform to generate funding. Any amount we raise, whether
it's more or less than our goal, will go towards the Mobile Pinhole
Project's operating costs. Thanks to our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, all donations are tax-deductible*.
Our Mission
Using a giant camera on wheels, the Mobile Pinhole Project makes visual
arts geographically and technologically accessible by allowing youth in
neighborhoods across Los Angeles inside the mechanism of photography to
empower a collective visual exploration of identity, culture, and place.
The Impact
Did you know?
- Funding for arts education projects in the state of California schools has been cut by 48% (Statewide survey)
The Mobile Pinhole Project brings high quality arts education to
young people throughout Los Angeles, encouraging self-expression,
critical thinking skills, technical ability, and community building.
Young people will not only understand the technical mechanism of
photography, but gain fundamental skills in working together to
represent the world around them.
What We Need & What You Get
OPERATIONS
- VanCam maintenance (insurance, AAA, repairs)
- Web design and hosting
- Organization computer
- Public relations materials
- Office space
- Staff stipend
WORKSHOPS
- Snacks for kids
- Art supplies
- Photo paper
- Photo processing costs
- Instant printer
- Gas
The
Mobile Pinhole Project operates on a shoestring budget, meaning the
more funds we have available, the broader our program can reach. Your
tax-deductible contribution, no matter how much, helps make the Mobile
Pinhole Project possible. We are grateful to have already received
donations from local LA businesses, as well as a start-up grant from the
Irene Wolt Trust. We continue to pursue grant-based funding, as well as
in kind donations. but we need your help for the project to continue.
We
hope that YOU, the MPP community, can contribute $10,000 to our first
year of programing. In return, we are offering some amazing,
limited-edition rewards. See the menu to the right.
Other Ways You Can Help
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Spread the word - share our campaign on email, facebook, twitter, on your blog, at work, at the coffee shop, getting your haircut. If you tell just 10 people about our campaign, our community grows exponentially.
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Paste the following text into your signature block: A pinhole camera on wheels? Go to http://indiegogo.com/mobilepinholeproject to donate to The Mobile Pinhole Project's IndieGoGo campaign, bringing photo arts to LA youth.
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Make an in kind donation. Photo paper, gas, art and office supplies, services like vehicle maintenance and photo processing. Contact mobilepinholeproject@gmail.com for more information.
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Sign up to volunteer. Contact mobilepinholeproject@gmail.com for more information.
For more information about the Mobile Pinhole Project, go to our website: http://mobilepinholeproject.tumblr.com/
*Donations are tax-deductible, less the value amount of your reward