Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Who started Lady Brain Collective? When and why?
In Dec. 2018, San Diego musician and writer Lindsay White invited a small group of local creative colleagues over for brunch to chat about navigating business, digital spaces, societal expectations, burnout, and more. There was a consensus that continuing to meet in safe physical spaces and pool resources would be beneficial to everyone, thus Lady Brain Collective was born. While we did begin as a small group of women, we did not want to mimic patriarchal patterns of exclusion, so we enthusiastically welcome and lift up any gender-marginazlied members to this family of local creatives! To read more about the inception of the collective, read this article!
Where does the name Lady Brain come from?
Lindsay named the first meeting “Lady Brain Brunch” after a song called “Lady Brain” by The Harmaleighs. As we grew, the name stuck (with permission from The Harmaleighs, thankfully). In the song, the artists paint a picture of what it's like to experience and survive within misogynistic and patriarchal systems. It is a sentiment that doesn't just apply to women, but to all who are born into a culture that tries to decide your worth based on your appearance. Effffffff that! Through this collective, we aim to work together to create an entirely new system where everyone in our community can create art abundantly, give/receive support enthusiastically, and thrive without limitations.
What is the mission/vision of this collective?
In short, to support, empower, and showcase local women and gender-marginalized creatives to the San Diego community while also offering assistance and/or resistance for intersecting social justice issues. For more on how we do this, visit this page.
What's the difference between Lady Brain Presents and Lady Brain Collective?
Not much. Lady Brain Collective is what we call our group. Lady Brain Presents is the public iteration of the collective that presents the work of the collective to our community in both virtual and physical spaces.
Is this group political?
Our primary goal is to help members and showcase their work to our community, but it is impossible to ignore and irresponsible not to address that gender marginalized artists are made vulnerable by serious, often dangerous, intersecting systemic issues of racial and social injustice. In that sense, our existence is political. We strive to use our creativity, collective power, and platform to raise awareness/funds and offer assistance/resistance to movements fighting for the health, safety, and liberation of all our siblings.
Are men welcome?
Membership is geared toward gender-marginalized creatives (see more on this in the Membership section of this page). However, this does not mean we are anti-cis-man. We aim to create safe spaces, and we welcome and encourage all humans who care about compassion, creativity, inclusivity, and community to contribute to our mission, attend our gatherings, and be a part of our extended family. If you are a cis-gender man, we invite you help us dismantle the patriarchy so opportunities, resources, and support will abound for folks across and beyond the gender spectrum! We'll get there much faster with your help!
HOW HAVE THINGS CHANGED SINCE THE PANDEMIC?
We're just gonna shoot ya straight. Covid times have thrown everyone for a loop, and artists have had a really hard time adjusting to a new reality and figuring out how to survive in a world that removed their traditional sources of income, identity, safety, and more. We acknowledge that like the rest of the world, many our members are traumatized, are grieving, are struggling to survive, and are also sitting in deep reflection of how systemic injustice continues to not only fail, but kill people. Similarly, our organizers are moving through these same waves of grief and reflection. As a result, this collective will intentionally operate at a gentler, more compassionate pace than before. We will welcome every member and organizer's time and creative energy when they are able and willing to contribute to this space, but we will not criticize or judge when the capacity simply isn't there. There are not many silver linings to a global pandemic, but one kinda huge lesson we've learned is to resist against the capitalistic structures that would have us grind ourselves into productive, profitable dust before we stop to take care of ourselves and each other. At the time of writing this, this country has lost over 500K lives to Covid19. So many of those deaths could have been prevented if we lived in a society that valued human life over productivity and profit. It is up to us to envision, demonstrate, and embody a different kind of existence, even in small ways. That said, Lady Brain will continue to provide some level of routine and consistency to members, but we are no longer willing to work ourselves silly just to meet some self-inflicted deadlines on a calendar. Instead, we will hold space until members feel compelled to show up in service to each other, and when they do, we will utilize this platform to create beautiful work together from that joyful, abundant, giving, collective well of loving energy.
MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS
What are membership requirements?
Any local, creative gender-marginalized person is welcome to join!
- Say what? Language is tricky, y'all. When words attempt to classify a broad spectrum of folks around social constructs like gender, they often come up short, and we acknowledge that. Terminology that works for one person might not work for someone else. Lady Brain Presents sometimes utilizes words like womxn in order to eliminate the root word “men" in the traditional spelling of women, and to resist ever-present patriarchal stereotypes that women are somehow below, beneath, or an inferior subset of cis-gendered male folks. That said, we welcome any members who use the term “women" or “womyn" or any spelling they feel comfortable with. To be crystal clear, any spelling we use absolutely and emphatically includes trans and cis gender. We also wholeheartedly welcome siblings of any marginalized or minority gender. We have learned over time that true feminism can't dismantle the patriarchy while simultaneously perpetuating or replicating patriarchal norms, so we hope our explanation does more to include than exclude, and we will continue to follow along with the greater conversation around gendered language and inclusivity. We encourage you to be part of that conversation and invite any thought leaders in this field to connect with us - please feel free to email ladybrainpresents@gmail.com with any thoughts, questions, concerns, resources, etc.
- What do you mean by creatives? I thought this group was just for musicians. We welcome folks pursuing creative paths of any kind.
- Why San Diego? This allows us to do meaningful work with our limited resources. But we acknowledge that borders are whack, especially in colonized lands, especially when used to victimize folks. We will always do our best to acknowledge, respect, and honor Kumeyaay land while also contributing compassionately to our neighboring communities, artists, and the planet as a whole.
What are some membership benefits?
- access to shared database
- access to private FB group
- access to private Instagram pod
- access to ongoing workshops
- member profile on website
- free company listing on business directory
- free download of DIY Publicity ebook
- opportunities to showcase/sell your work at community gatherings/festivals
- press opportunities via podcast, reviews, brain candy blog, newsletter, and more
- add your work to Spotify playlist (musicians only)
- a network of supportive artists and friends!
Where can I check out your members?
Visit our Members page! We are constantly adding new profiles - you might just discover your new favorite artist!
Does it cost money to become a member?
We offer a sliding scale monthly fee in order to effectively sustain and serve our growing membership. We also offer creative trade options for those with limited means. There is no contract - you are welcome to adjust or cancel your membership at anytime.
How do I join the Lady Brain Collective AND ACCESS MEMBER BENEFITS?
Fill out the form on this page, subscribe to the sliding scale option that works for you, and we'll hook you up with all the info, including a detailed email that includes everything you need to know!
I'm a Lady Brain Collective member, but I don't have a member profile yet. How do I make that happen?
Send us an email and we'll hook you up with all the info!
How DO YOU ACCOMMODATE MEMBERS WITH DISABILITIES?
We first want to acknowledge and apologize for our failure to make disability inclusion a priority from the jump. We are committed to knowing better and doing better. Upon joining the collective, all applicants are now given the optional opportunity to confidentially disclose any accessibility notes that would allow us to provide a more accommodating experience, whether that be in digital or physical spaces. All members are empowered to participate in Lady Brain events/gatherings/meetups in whatever capacity they feel able or comfortable. We invite and encourage member-led workshops/events around any topic that might enhance our ability to better serve our communities and each other. We also seek out opportunities to learn about disability justice from experts and integrate best practices from folks and organizations who are leading the way in this field. We have incorporated text descriptions on social media and blog posts, and we offer transcriptions of workshops within 24-48 hrs (though we're hoping to secure the funding for real-time captions for meetups and to hire ASL interpreters where possible when we return to physical gatherings). We will also work to communicate and address any accessibility-related concerns with ample notice for any online or physical event. If you would like to offer any expertise, recommendations, or assistance on making membership more accommodating for folks with disabilities, please email ladybrainpresents@gmail.com.
I BELIEVE IN THIS VISION. HOW CAN I HELP KEEP MEMBERSHIP AFFORDABLE FOR THE COLLECTIVE?
You can become a Lady Brain Lover, which keeps membership fees down. If you/your company are interested, you can learn more here.
WORKSHOP AND MEETUP QUESTIONS
Who is welcome at workshops & MEETUPS?
Workshops and meetups are typically for members only. Some exceptions apply, such as if a member wanted to bring along a friend who is interested in joining, etc.
Where can I find info for upcoming workshops & MEETUPS?
Workshop and meetup info is listed on the homepage of this website, while full details are found in our private Member Toolbox or in our private Facebook group. (Join to access!)
What kinds of topics are covered at workshops & MEETUPS
Often times our meet-ups can be as simple as a member check-in or a group hike, work hang, or skate session. Other times we invite members or guest speakers to facilitate workshops about topics that are relevant to all creative entrepreneurs, such as branding, marketing, publicity, etc. Periodically we offer workshops that relevant to a specific creative field, such as music. Other workshops might tackle broader topics, such as community-minded creativity or art and activism. It's a mixed bag!
Where can I find recaps of previous workshops & MEETUPS?
Check out our recaps here. Members can also find access to minutes/notes from any topical or speaker-led workshop in the Member Toolbox.
I'd like to speak at one of your workshops. Who should I talk to?
We are ALWAYS looking for engaging speakers/presenters! Check out this page for more info!
Where do workshops & MEETUPS take place?
Workshops and meetups take place at various venues or outdoor spaces throughout the community (or virtually during pandemic times). Our community partners believe in our mission and we believe in supporting local businesses, so it's a great relationship! Sometimes members offer their homes as meeting space as well. Please fill out the form below if you know anyone interested in sponsoring meeting space! Recaps are also provided for any members who can't attend in person.
What else do I need to know about workshops & MEETUPS?
Sometimes our gracious venue hosts have pets, some are alcohol/420-friendly, etc. While we don't believe in policing members' house rules when it comes to legal activities, we do want everyone to be comfortable and will do our best to communicate with and accommodate everyone to the best of our ability. Please fill out the form below if you have any questions or concerns.
How can I help keep workshops & MEETUPS running?
You can become a Workshop Sponsor, which includes lots of amazing benefits. If you/your company are interested, please contribute here or fill out the below form with other creative partnership proposals!
COMMUNITY GATHERING QUESTIONS
Who is welcome at community gatherings?
Everyone is always welcome to attend (or register to attend if limited capacity) our monthly community gatherings. Age restrictions vary according to venue.
What is the purpose of community gatherings?
- We want folks to get off their phones and enjoy human interaction in the real world if they are able.
- We want to provide members opportunities to showcase their work.
- We want to provide the community opportunities to show up for local artists.
- We want to offer interactive/participatory elements so attendees are inspired to create.
- We want to offer opportunities for artists and attendees to stand in solidarity with people/organizations in need of assistance or resistance.
Where do community gatherings take place?
The majority of community gatherings occur at private residences, venues, galleries, etc. This helps ensure that donations collected at the door can go directly to showcasing artists.
Where do I find out about or register for upcoming community gatherings?
Our upcoming showcases are always listed front and center on the homepage of this website. Here you can also sign up for our mailing list.
Where can I find recaps of previous community gatherings?
I'd like to perform/showcase or curate at a community gathering. How does that work?
If you are a member who has yet to showcase at a community gathering, you can curate your own! Members take turns curating community gatherings, typically centered around a topic/theme that is relevant to them. They will either invite specific members to showcase, or open up an invitation to perform to all members via email or private FB group. If you are a member interested in curating a showcase, please fill out the form below! If you are a member interested in showcasing, the best way to get involved is to actively participate in digital and physical spaces.
If I'm slated to perform, do I have to promote?
Since we are a young organization and still growing our marketing base and social media following, attendance for each gathering is dependent on the combined promotional efforts of the organization as well as members. Well-attended showcases make for well-paid performances and a better overall experience for everyone. Lady Brain Presents works hard to promote each community gathering and to provide performers with tools they need to help spread the word!
Do you ever book touring artists?
Occasionally, but members are always given priority consideration.
I'd like to host a community gathering at my residence or venue. Who should I talk to?
Please fill out the form below! We are ALWAYS looking for new/unique spaces!
I'm a local vendor and I'd love to partner with you on a community gathering. Who should I talk to?
Please fill out the form below! We are ALWAYS looking for like-minded vendors for cross-collaboration!
How can I help keep community gatherings going?
You can become a Community Gathering Sponsor, which comes with so many great benefits. If you/your company are interested, please contribute here or fill out the form with other creative partnership proposals!
LADY BRAIN FEST QUESTIONS
Is Lady Brain Fest happening in 2021?
Pandemic-pending. :)
Can I SHOWCASE MY WORK at Lady Brain FEST?
Members will be the first to know when we have solidified plans for the next Lady Brain Fest!
How do I apply to be a vendor at Lady Brain Fest?
Drop us a message via the form below if you're interested in partnering!
How can I help with Lady Brain Fest?
You can become a Lady Brain Fest sponsor, which comes with lots of wonderful benefits! If you/your company want to get involved, please contribute here or fill out the form with other creative partnership proposals!
BRAIN CANDY BLOG QUESTIONS
What is the Brain Candy Blog?
We post a monthly blog highlighting events featuring various Lady Brain Collective members. Community members can bookmark the Brain Candy Blog as a resource for awesome local art and music happenings. (This blog series is on pause until live events are back up and running).
How do you decide what gets featured in this blog?
It's part of membership! Each month, we email members asking them to submit one event they'd like to feature in the Brain Candy blog.
How can I help keep the Brain Candy Blog running?
You can become a Brain Candy Advertising Partner, which helps us maintain this awesome resource and provides you/your company awesome and organic advertising benefits. Click here to learn more!
BOSS LADIES REVIEWS QUESTIONS
What are Boss Ladies Reviews?
We are all about creating press opportunities from scratch. Boss Ladies Reviews are written by members, about members. And they are an awesome way to discover new work from our incredible members.
How do you decide what gets reviewed?
It's part of membership! Members can fill out/submit a review form (This form is found in the Forms section of the private Facebook group). We assign reviews to our volunteer writers.
What do you mean volunteer writers? You don't pay them?
It is our absolute priority to give members every possible opportunity to earn income, but we also stress the importance of members being of service to each other. Reviews are just one of many ways some members opt to support each other. We do include a virtual tip jar for each writer on each review - please consider contributing! (And it is a goal to eventually hire a full writing team).
How can I help keep Boss Ladies Reviews running?
You can become a Boss Ladies Advertising Partner, which would allow us to pay our wonderful writers, not to mention provide you/your company with some pretty awesome advertising benefits. Click here to learn more!
PODCAST QUESTIONS
Where can I listen to past episodes?
You can find our podcast archive on this page.
Who hosts your podcast?
Can I be a guest on your podcast?
If you are a Lady Brain Collective member, you can absolutely be a guest on our podcast! Fill out the form below, and we'll put you in touch with Cathryn for scheduling!
How can I help keep the podcast running?
You can become a Podcast Sponsor, which comes with many benefits for you/your company. If you want to get involved learn more here!
FINANCIAL/BUSINESS QUESTIONS
Are you a nonprofit organization?
No, though there are similarities. Many members volunteer their time to help organize events, and most of our community gatherings involve raising funds/awareness for various organizations and causes. However, we do not subscribe to the “starving artist" mentality that keeps creatives perpetually “suffering" for their art. Instead, we'd rather work toward changing the culture around how a community shows up for artists.
So, are you trying to make a profit?
We are primarily trying to help shine a spotlight on our members in hopes of encouraging the community to hire and compensate them so they can make a living for the work they do and for the value they add to our community. Don't get us wrong, it would be awesome to secure enough funding to help our organizers make a legitimate career out of this work. For now though, all community gathering funds go directly to artists and the various social justice platforms they choose to support. Other funds collected (memberships, sponsorships, merch sales, etc.) help keep the organization running. We'll reassess the whole making a profit thing once we start breaking even.
I BELIEVE IN THIS PROJECT AND WANT TO CONTRIBUTE. HOW CAN I HELP?
The number one way to contribute is to show up for our members physically and/or financially. Please consider becoming a regular at our community gatherings or joining as a individual/corporate sponsor. Please fill out the form below if you have ideas or connections that will help Lady Brain Collective thrive.
OTHER QUESTIONS
I'm planning an event and I would love to book local artists. Can you help?
We'd love to put you in touch with our members! Please visit our Lady Brain For Hire page and fill out the booking request form!
What else can I hire members to do?
So many of our members have day jobs and side hustles to keep them afloat financially. Check out our Lady Brain for Hire Directory for a list of their many skills, and don't hesitate to reach out if you find yourself in need of their services. We'll put you in touch!
What other projects are you working on?
Our wheels are always turning! The beauty of our diverse group mean no two events are ever the same. We are always looking to showcase something new and different to highlight the many creative talents of our members!