<aside> 📌 official mission for akiya collective: “to foster community and promote the arts through building revitalization and other community-driven projects”

</aside>

1. Describe completely and in detail your past, present, and planned activities. Do not refer to or repeat the purposes in your organizing document.

Part IV: Narrative Description of Your Activities

Past Activities

1. Izu Residency (Summer 2023)
   • Activity: The Izu Residency was designed to offer a soft landing pad for potential residents to experience rural Japan and understand the life there before fully committing to the move. The residency provided participants with an immersive cultural experience and an introduction to the local community.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team, including local coordinators and volunteers.
   • Where Conducted: Izu, Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 20% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Funded through donations and residency fees. Approximately 30% of overall expenses were allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This activity furthers our exempt purpose by fostering cultural exchange, promoting rural revitalization, and supporting sustainable community development.
2. Nagano Residency (Fall 2023)
   • Activity: Similar to the Izu Residency, the Nagano Residency aimed to immerse participants in rural Japanese life and culture. Participants engaged in community activities and learned about the challenges and opportunities of rural living.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team with support from local volunteers.
   • Where Conducted: Nagano, Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 15% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Funded through donations and residency fees. Approximately 25% of overall expenses were allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This activity promotes cultural exchange, supports rural revitalization efforts, and encourages sustainable living practices.
3. Proto Artist Residency (Spring 2024)
   • Activity: The Proto Artist Residency focused on creating art installations as case studies for transforming akiyas (abandoned houses) into vibrant, creative spaces. These installations demonstrated innovative approaches to akiya revitalization.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by artists-in-residence, supported by the Akiya Collective team and local community members.
   • Where Conducted: In our first community home, in Komoro Town, Nagano, Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 25% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Funded through donations, residency fees, and potential ticket/rental costs from installations. Approximately 35% of overall expenses were allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This activity showcases the potential of akiya revitalization, promotes artistic expression, and contributes to the cultural and economic development of rural communities.
4. Creative Residency Workshops (2023)
   • Activity: Hosted workshops to support creative residencies, offering training and resources for artists and community members interested in akiya revitalization.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team and guest workshop leaders.
   • Where Conducted: Various rural locations in Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 10% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Funded through workshop fees and donations. Approximately 15% of overall expenses were allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: These workshops enhance skills, foster community engagement, and support the broader goals of rural revitalization and sustainable development.
5. Revitalization Initiatives with Local Government Support (2023-2024)
   • Activity: Collaborated with local governments to identify and introduce abandoned homes for purchase and revitalization under our organization.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team in partnership with local government officials.
   • Where Conducted: Various rural locations in Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 10% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Funded through donations and local government grants. Approximately 10% of overall expenses were allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This activity directly supports the identification and revitalization of akiyas, fostering sustainable community development and rural revitalization.

Present Activities

1. Build Weeks for Akiya Renovation
   • Activity: Organizing build weeks to renovate abandoned houses, documenting the process in an open-source document for information sharing on akiya revitalization.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by volunteers, local community members, and the Akiya Collective team.
   • Where Conducted: Various rural locations in Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 30% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Funded through donations and volunteer contributions. Approximately 40% of overall expenses are allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This activity provides practical knowledge and resources for akiya revitalization, promotes community engagement, and supports sustainable development.
2. Creating a Network of Akiya Owners and Artists
   • Activity: Developing a network of akiya owners and artists interested in building revitalization, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team with participation from network members.
   • Where Conducted: Online and in various rural locations in Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 20% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Funded through donations and membership fees. Approximately 20% of overall expenses are allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This network fosters collaboration, supports the exchange of knowledge and skills, and promotes the collective effort towards rural revitalization.

Planned Activities

1. Additional Creative Residencies
   • Activity: Expanding creative residency programs to offer more opportunities for artists and community members to engage in akiya revitalization projects.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team with support from local volunteers and artists.
   • Where Conducted: Various rural locations in Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 25% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Planned to be funded through donations, residency fees, and potential grants. Estimated 30% of overall expenses will be allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: These residencies promote artistic expression, support rural revitalization, and enhance community engagement.
2. Purchasing and Revitalizing New Homes
   • Activity: Identifying and purchasing new akiyas for revitalization and development, transforming them into community and cultural spaces.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team in collaboration with local partners.
   • Where Conducted: Various rural locations in Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 20% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Planned to be funded through donations, grants, and potential rental income. Estimated 25% of overall expenses will be allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This activity directly supports the revitalization of rural areas, promotes sustainable living, and fosters community development.
3. Local Workshops
   • Activity: Hosting workshops that serve as connective points between locals and foreigners, focusing on skills exchange, cultural integration, and community building.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team with guest workshop leaders.
   • Where Conducted: Various rural locations in Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 15% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Planned to be funded through workshop fees and donations. Estimated 20% of overall expenses will be allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: These workshops facilitate cultural exchange, promote community integration, and support sustainable development.
4. Digital Co-op
   • Activity: Establishing a digital cooperative to enable global contributions of digital talent and financial resources towards akiya revitalization projects.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by the Akiya Collective team with participation from digital co-op members.
   • Where Conducted: Online platform.
   • Percentage of Time: 10% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Planned to be funded through membership fees and donations. Estimated 10% of overall expenses will be allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This digital co-op supports global collaboration, provides resources for akiya projects, and promotes sustainable community development.
5. Activation of Akiya into Art Installations
   • Activity: Transforming akiyas into art installations through collaborative art projects with the community, integrating these spaces into the local cultural landscape.
   • Who Conducts the Activity: Conducted by artists-in-residence, supported by the Akiya Collective team and local community members.
   • Where Conducted: Various rural locations in Japan.
   • Percentage of Time: 10% of total organizational time.
   • Funding: Planned to be funded through donations, grants, and potential ticket/rental income from installations. Estimated 15% of overall expenses will be allocated to this activity.
   • Furthering Exempt Purposes: This activity enhances the cultural and artistic value of rural areas, promotes community engagement, and supports the broader goals of rural revitalization.