Noun City – Creative Retreat & Community Engagement at Art City in Tucumcari, NM

Background

In April 2025, Nouns DAO funded Prop 757, resulting in the creation of a massive Nounish landmark at Art City, a 40-acre sculpture park and creative hub on Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The landmark became an anchor for Nouns in the American Southwest — a visible, permanent installation that embodies the ethos of playful, public art.

I propose to build on that foundation by bringing Nouns to life through a multi-day retreat and community engagement experience. This will not only activate the Nounish landmark but also deepen connections between DAO members, artists, and the local community.

For those interested, I just gave a keynote about Art City at the Aspen Design Conference.

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Event Overview

• Dates: November 7–9, 2025 (2 nights, 3 days)
• Location: Art City, Tucumcari, NM
• Participants: Nouns DAO members, artists, local community, and friends. RSVP required.
• Budget: $25,000 USDC

Core Objectives

• Celebrate the nounish landmark created in Prop 757.
• Foster creative collaboration among Nouns and artists.
• Engage the Tucumcari community through public service and art.
• Host a memorable, high-vibe gathering to inspire future Nounish activations.

Program & Activities

November 7 – Arrival & Welcome

• Participants arrive via Albuquerque, Amarillo, or Santa Fe (2–3 hour drive; carpool coordination provided).
• Opening Long Table Dinner – curated by our chef, with friends & family invited.
• Live acoustic set by a local band.

November 8 – Community Engagement & Celebration

Morning: Town Cleanup & Group Mural

• Nouns and the local community collaborate on beautifying downtown Tucumcari.

Lunch: Catered, family-style meal at Art City.

Afternoon: Lake Conchas or 5 Mile Park Outing

• Swimming, music, relaxation
• Shooting range
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Golf

Evening: Opening Ceremony at The Gnome

• BBQ & drinks.
• Music by DJ Home Depot Bucket Head and friends
• Special guest performance(s) (Great Bingo Revival, Nakaloka, or similar, pending availability).

November 9 – Farewell

• Brunch at Art City
• Participants depart for airports at 10 AM.

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Accommodations

On-Site at Art City:

• Five queen beds, four twin beds.
• Unlimited BYO camping, vans, and RVs.
• Accommodation allocations managed via attendee form + raffle on 10/15/25.

In Town (3–5 minutes from Art City):

• Historic Route 66 motels: Blue Swallow, Motel Safari, Roadrunner.
• $120–$200 per night.
• Folks who do not win on-site accommodations in the raffle will need to book their own rooms. Group discount codes provided.

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Food & Beverage

Catering included:

• Dinner (7th)
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner (8th)
• Brunch (9th)

Beer, wine, soda, and non-alcoholic options provided.

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Budget (Target: $25,000)

• Catering & Drinks: $5,000
• Entertainment & Talent: $5,000
• Community Engagement (mural supplies, cleanup): $4,000
• Lodging at Art City: $3,000
• Production & Logistics (rentals, staff, content, merch): $6,000
• Contingency: $2,000

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Why Fund This?

• Nounish IRL Impact: Extends Prop 757 by turning a static landmark into a living, breathing gathering.
• Community Engagement: Nouns as civic leaders, beautifying Tucumcari with locals.
• Visibility: Coverage in local press and across Nounish media.
• Cultural Legacy: Builds Art City as a long-term stage for future Nouns projects.

Here’s a sample of the vibe of our past gatherings.

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Deliverables to DAO

• Event Recap Video documenting the experience.
• Photography & Press Coverage highlighting community engagement.
• Expanded Nounish Footprint with mural + strengthened local partnerships.

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Call to Action

By funding this proposal, Nouns DAO continues its tradition of supporting playful, public-facing art that strengthens community bonds. Let’s gather, create, and leave Tucumcari more Nounish than we found it.