P&C_S12_A1_Janet
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Trade School is an informal learning exchange located in New York City where people can take classes and teach skills in exchange for other services or goods. It aims to demonstrate that people are interested in supporting one another and that value is subjective. Classes cover a range of practical and theoretical topics. Trade School has been invited to present at universities and museums. It is organized and run by teachers, students, and volunteers. It started in 2010 as a pop-up event and now operates for longer periods through fundraising and an annual membership model.
P&C_S12_A1_Janet
- 1. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study Trade School New York http://tradeschool.ourgoods.org/about/ Description Trade School celebrates practical wisdom, mutual respect, and the social nature of exchange. Trade School demonstrates that value is subjective, and that New Yorkers ARE interested in supporting one another. Where else will you find a teacher’s knowledge (the class) right next to the teacher’s wish list (the barter items)? Trade School is a small part of the solidarity economy- economic practices that reinforce values of mutualism, cooperation, social justice, democracy, and ecological sustainability. I hope Trade School allows mutual respect to emerge between people. With mutual respect, anything is possible. An informal learning exchange based on the barter system. Citizen Role Teachers, organizers and students. Public Role Trade School has been asked to present at public organizations, universities and museums. These entities support through exposure. Degrees of Involvement Below are a few examples of why people can get involved. As student, organizer or teacher. Louise Ma: I'm interested in an open forum where theoretical and technical investigations can co- exist, where low-brow and high-concept can cross-pollinate. I'm for an environment where people are brought together by the passionate interests they share with their peers. Saul Melman: Team Topic: Janet, Q, Aly, Nelson
- 2. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study Service Diagram Team Topic: Janet, Q, Aly, Nelson
- 3. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study Enabling Systems Trade School is based on the barter for instruction system. From the website: How much work is it? The first time (2010), everyone contributed time and materials to support the communities that value cooperation over competition. Rich Watts bartered design work for GrandOpening's storefront space and help conceptualizing Trade School. Louise Ma Team Topic: Janet, Q, Aly, Nelson
- 4. Public & Collaborative Services: Case Study and Rich Watts designed the website and Caroline Woolard coordinated with teachers to make the class schedule. We made a weatherproof flag, bucket furniture, hook-filled shelving, and a huge chalkboard. Incredibly rigorous, creative thinkers gave time to Trade School from day one. This time (2011), we wanted to open Trade School for longer than a month, and needed to raise money to pay for rent because we couldn’t find anyone who would barter with us for a three month rental in Manhattan. We raised money on Kickstarter, and after a LOT of searching and discussion with various venues, we were approached by Old School at 32 Prince. It’s an old classroom in Nolita, so it’s perfect. Saul Melman joined our team as well, helping to coordinate and conceptualize the project. We also have a handful of generous volunteers, and more enthusiastic teachers and students than ever. Role of Digital Environment Their web-site is a way for Trade School to get the word out, promote their goals, schedule classes and to call for volunteers. They have also used sites such as Kick- Starter to help fund and support Trade School. Background / History The service started in 2010. From the founders of Our Goods: OurGoods.org is a barter network for creative people. Three of the five co-founders of OurGoods jumped at an opportunity to barter for storefront space in February 2010, and Trade School began. But Trade School is just one of many possible barter spaces for face to face interaction. Team Topic: Janet, Q, Aly, Nelson