Facts, Answers, Questions
Why did this get started?
We know that there are pockets of people in this city who want to make Syracuse a more dynamic place to live. We also know that not all of these people may know one another, or have the means to put their ideas into practice.
We'd seen what this effort could do to build community in other areas and got inspired to launch something similar in our own city. DISHES debuted in Syracuse, NY on January 23, 2011! It's been going on ever since.
What makes a good project? Can you give me some examples?
A good project is one that uses creativity to engage the community. What’s key is the public component – the grants aren’t meant to pay a painter’s rent (much as we’d love to be able to do that). If your project will make people pause, think, and feel, chances are it’s a great idea.
Among our favorites of past projects is the group that filmed manufacturing taking place in Brooklyn today, then screened those films on the facades of old factories throughout the borough. Another group created a telegraph spanning the Gowanus Canal, which passerby were encouraged to use in order to transmit their answers to the question, What hath God wrought? – the words Samuel Morse famously transmitted back in 1844, when he sent a wire to the U.S Capitol.
For a full list of previous Brooklyn grantees, click here.
OK, so it works in Brooklyn. Is this happening anywhere else?
Yes! Among other cities, Baltimore, MD; Huntington, WV; Buffalo, NY; Minneapolis, MN; and Portland, OR all have variations on FEAST. It’s even spread to Ukraine, where it’s known as Sunday Borscht. You can check out a full list of other cities’ FEASTs here.
I’ve never done anything like this. Can I submit something anyway?
Yes, please! The purpose of this series is to inspire, and support, great ideas from all parts of the Syracuse community.
I live in Utica/Ithaca/Rochester/Tully. Am I eligible?
Yes. But your project would need to take place in the city of Syracuse.
Is this a fringe thing? What does the mainstream media think about this?
Take a look for yourself.
This sounds really cool, but I still have questions. Who can I get in touch with to find out more?
Email saltcitydishes@gmail.com and we'll get back to you.
