What is it?
The Creative Momentum Collective is a membership-based collective of working artists who are each committed to a long-term creative project, such as a novel, a stage play, a series of paintings, etc. Each member joins with a specific project in mind and the intention to move that project forward. Once per month, members meet online for a facilitated meeting/work session.
The objectives of the collective are two-fold: to move forward with work on a specific project and to inspire and support colleagues to move forward on their work.
Why?
Following through on an ambitious project alone can be challenging for a variety of reasons:
- Our last project ended with the sting of rejection that is undermining our confidence.
- We have too many ideas that pull and push and we struggle to commit to just one.
- We are isolated and crave collegial community.
- We need an external driver, a deadline, someone out there who is rooting for us to finish.
Our conviction is that a collective of people working on independent projects can encourage the discipline and generate the inspiration that help us all move forward. When we work in community with others, we both give and we get—and in doing so everybody gets more done.
What do we mean by long-term creative project?
- A creative writing work of any type—from memoir to novel, screenplay to stage play, and everything in between.
- A visual endeavor—from photography to painting, film to graphic novel, and everything in between.
- A music or sound concept—from orchestral score to podcast, song cycle to musical, and everything in between.
- A category-defying dream—from costumes to puppetry, gadgets to games, and, yes, everything in between.
How does it work?
We are asking for serious applicants only. Currently six-month commitments are available. The next session is from end of July to beginning of January.
The primary purpose of the membership fee is for us all to hold ourselves accountable. We will use the fees to cover basic administrative and facilitation costs. If membership exceeds our wildest dreams, revenue we collect beyond our objective costs will be donated on behalf of all of us, to Carpe Diem Arts, a nonprofit that brings arts and artists to underserved communities.
Membership requirements
A. Complete application form, which includes the following:
1. Project Mission Statement
This will be a short, general project description that each of us is willing to share with the group. Keep it simple but be sure to set your objectives. Examples:
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- I’m writing a historical novel. My goal is to complete a rough draft of all 12 chapters in 12 months.
- I’m creating an online exhibit of my landscape photographs. My goal is to have 24 photographs, an artist statement, and a web update in 6 months.
- I’m making a series of miniature sculptures that explore climate change. My goal is to sketch drafts, get feedback, and then produce at least four pieces in six months.
2. A Short Bio (250 words max).
3. A Pledge (to participate with mutual respect and positive energy).
B. If your application is accepted, you’ll be instructed to pay the membership fee. (Contact us if need-based scholarship is required to participate):
$120 total for six months.
What happens at the monthly gatherings?
Meeting/Work Sessions
Each of our monthly gatherings will follow the same structure and will be held the final Sunday of each month from 1:00-4:00 pm. EST. (There may be some exceptions; a schedule will be posted.) For now, the gatherings will be held on Zoom. In the future, the gatherings may include opportunities for in-person and/or hybrid participation.
Welcome (5 minutes)
We log in, ready to go, and say hello.
Intentions (30 minutes)
We break into small groups. Each participant will have a few minutes to share project updates and current focus. Although this may sound like a short amount of time, brevity encourages clarity.
Optional Office Hours (30 minutes)
Those of us wanting more time to hash out a particular snag or obstacle with other members can join an optional breakout room.
Independent Work Session (60-90 minutes)
We log off and jump into fully-focused, undisturbed work.
Progression Confession (30 minutes)
We resume in breakout groups and each participant will take a few minutes to share what they’ve learned. Mistakes or triumphs. We consider trying and failing to be as much progress as trying and succeeding, as long as we’re willing to learn from it.
Schmooze (30 minutes)
We come together as a full group to bond and share our collective power. We’ll also be setting our individual goals for the next month.
How can I apply?
To get started, complete the application form.
Future goals
Launching the CMC is a first step. If the concept takes off and our community grows, we can see creating a CMC website as well as additional opportunities for CMC members, such as salons, public performances and lectures, and more.
Let’s invest in ourselves, energize our creative community, and form the Creative Momentum Collective.
Creative Momentum Collective Facilitators
Mary Amato is a writer, performing artist, speaker, teacher, and facilitator. Her published written work includes poetry, personal essays, and nonfiction, as well as more than two dozen award-winning novels for children and young adults. She’s also a musician and shadow-puppet artist and the co-founder of www.fireflyshadowtheater.com. She has created and delivered workshops, lectures, classes, and retreats for many organizations around the country including The American Library Association, Johns Hopkins University, Carpe Diem Arts, The National Theater, Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, and more. Over the years, she has founded many arts-oriented, community-building groups, including The Silver Spring Town Center Arts Salon, The Hive, The Brown Bag for Creatives, and SoHy Sing. Mary is currently working on a science-fiction trilogy, a collection of essays, and a series of animated shorts.
Diana Friedman is an award-winning writer whose fiction, articles and essays have appeared in numerous publications including New Letters, The Huffington Post, Newsweek, The Baltimore Sun, Bethesda Magazine and Whole Earth Review. She is the recipient of the Alexander Patterson Cappon Fiction Prize and a Pushcart Prize nomination, and her work has been selected as a finalist /short listed at multiple presses. She has received funding from the Arts and Humanities council of Montgomery County and was a National Park Artist-in-Residence at Catoctin Mountain Park. Teaching is also integral to Diana’s commitment to the writing community. She has taught creative writing at Writopia Lab, professional writing at the University of Maryland, facilitated small group workshops, and currently co-leads a long-term writing group at the New Directions Program at the Washington Center for Psychoanalysis. Diana also considers herself a midwife for emerging artists, helping those new to the artistic process to claim their voice. At the start of the pandemic, she brought together a community of artists and writers to produce a “people’s voice” snapshot. She is currently working on a novel, environmental essays, and a project to unite artists and scientists working to address the climate crisis.
Additional Opportunities
Collective members who are offering relevant classes may submit info to us, and we’ll share here.
Classes, Workshops, Retreats
- Writer’s Studio with Mary Amato
Join Mary Amato every Friday from 1:00-1:30 pm EST for an energizing mini-lecture followed by a writing exercise. Fees and schedule info. - Creative Writing Lecture/Retreats
Coming will be a series of online lectures as well as retreats led by a variety of writers.
Coaching, Manuscript and/or Project Consultation
The following members provide one-on-one consultation services. Please contact individuals to find out about fees.
- Mary Amato, fiction
- Diana Friedman, fiction and non-fiction