I just got this email from Chris Newgent of Vouched Books in Indianapolis, IN, which I think is a generous, lovely project, so I am re-posting this here.

“Big Car Arts Collective is in the running for a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant to support our new community space here in Indy called Service Center for Contemporary Culture + Community! The top 15 projects get funded. We are in the final push at 9th place with 10 days to go, which means if we can just hold on we get the grant!

At this new space, we plan to host events (the next Vouched Presents reading will be here), maintain a community garden, hold art and writing workshops (e.g. we plan to have a Dzanc Day event here next year), and have a lending library (you can bet I plan to stock that puppy with small press literature galore). On top of that, they’re devoting a shelf to Vouched Books so people visiting the community space have the opportunity to buy my books whenever the space is open. The whole endeavor is to kickstart a revitalization of a neighborhood in Indy that is in desperate need for new life.

I’m not sure how many of you know that since nearly the beginning of Vouched, I’ve been partnered with Big Car. Honestly, Vouched wouldn’t exist in the capacity it does today without Big Car’s gracious support, providing me with a high-traffic space for my book table every month at First Friday, and the use of their gallery to hold Vouched Presents readings. In short, Big Car has been an integral part in the success of Vouched’s mission to spread small press literature in Indy.

I wanted to ask all of you to do me a huge favor in spreading the word about this, and if you feel inclined, to vote yourselves. Blog, facebook, twitter, whatever you got, anything at all will help. I’ve seen first hand what the small press community can do to support its own, and I hope you guys recognize Big Car as an integral part of what is happening here in Indy for the small press community.

Many of you have seen or taken part in some of the awesome ways Big Car is shaping Indianapolis through arts and literature. Getting this grant would mean big things for this space and this community, and I would be hugely grateful for any help you can muster.

You can find out more and vote yourselves at http://www.refresheverything.com/servicecenter

You can also vote multiple times each day by voting at the site, and voting by text (text 106734 to 73774).

Thank you, thank you, thank you for any support you’re able to give to this effort!

—
christopher newgent
vouchedbooks.com“