Homestay Host
Host an artist at your home!
Volunteers Needed to Host Indigenous Artists Traveling to Boston, MA
Dear Friends,
We are pleased to invite you to join our Cultural Survival community as a homestay host in December for Indigenous artists traveling to Boston, Massachusetts as participants in our annual
Indigenous arts Bazaars. The events take place between December 5th to December 8th, and the dates of artists’ stay will be anywhere between one to two days before and a few days Afterwards. Homestay hosts, along with local Bed and Breakfast sponsors, are essential to supporting our mission by dramatically reducing the cost of travel for Indigenous artists, which means more money goes home to each as they are freed from high hotel fees and gain access to a kitchen. Thank you in advance for taking the time to consider hosting someone in your home.
Since 1982, our Bazaars have provided a market for thousands of Indigenous artists and cooperatives spanning over sixty countries. Each year the Bazaars generate about half a million dollars for Indigenous artists, performers, and projects. At the pinnacle of our event productions, we hosted twelve Bazaars each year. Now, we are committed to holding four events annually, two in the winter and two in the summer.
Hosts are essential for making our Indigenous artists experience full of ease and hospitality as they become oriented to Boston’s transportation, customs, and culture. We aim to have the most impact possible for each artist. At recent bazaars almost 4,800 artisans from 36 countries and about 80 cultures were directly impacted by participation in the bazaars, either directly or through a representative. The Bazaars are one of many Cultural Survival programs dedicated to advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights and cultures worldwide.
Many of the artists are able to stay with family or friends. Those who cannot turn to us with the hope of affordable lodging. We would love your help reaching our goal to meet 100% of our traveling artists’ housing needs. Together, we can build a network of dedicated and reliable hosts who are excited to share a sense of home with these outstanding individuals serving their Indigenous cultures and communities. While we dream about hosts joining our community and opening their doors for years to come, we know that the journey begins with one visit.
This season, we are seeking enthusiastic hosts to provide a warm and safe space for our guests to sleep, eat and relax during and between the two events. Currently, the artists who have applied for the homestay program and have yet to be placed speak Spanish or French if they do not speak English.
Yours truly,
Cultural Survival Bazaars Team
bazaars@culturalsurvival.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of homestay services does Cultural Survival arrange? Each season, we provide a number of different homestay types depending on available
hosts. In some cases, hosts pick artists up at the airport, help them shop for groceries for
the stay, and drive them to and from the Bazaars. Some hosts stay at the Bazaars for a time to assist artists at their booth - this is truly a bonus and is a testament to the beautiful relationships that can develop in a short time. Other hosts can provide some transportation and largely support that by helping artists read transit maps and call taxis. At a minimum, hosts provide a private room, sheets and towels, and a kitchen where artists can cook, with clear information on how to access the house, etc.
How does Cultural Survival develop relationships with artists?
Some of our artists have been attending the Bazaars for years. Others, we meet through recruitment at various arts events or they hear about us through word of mouth from friends who have participated or heard of us. We are in regular communication with them during the application process and prior to their arrival. Each artist goes through a rigorous application process in order to be selected, and selection is based on demonstration of the quality of their art, their identity as an Indigenous artist, and the fair trade nature of any crafts they are selling on behalf of artists who will not be present.
How does Cultural Survival recruit hosts?
To ensure a safe and reliable experience for our artists, we have historically had hosts who are our personal friends, or friends of friends. We help hosts to consider the amount of space they have to offer and how it will work to host the particular artist and his/her luggage for the Bazaar - some people with small apartments have big hearts and we help them determine if it will be a good fit. We talk by phone, and in person, with each potential host to ensure we answer any questions and to facilitate the best homestay possible.
If I choose to host, in what ways will Cultural Survival be a resource? Cultural Survival is happy to provide you with information about the artists, where they are coming from, and anything we might know about their particular needs and concerns. Depending on how much you are able to provide, we will make sure to fill in the gaps. (For example, some hosts drive artists to and from the Bazaars, while others are unable to do so. If hosts cannot drive and if they are unable to assist artists with calling a taxi, Cultural Survival will make sure to provide artists with information for calling a taxi on their own.)
Can Cultural Survival help me to ensure I have the information I need to be a a successful host?
Yes! We are happy to answer any questions you have about what hosting will look like and to meet needs or preferences you might have (preferences regarding gender, non-smoking, etc.) Of course the more flexible each host can be, the more artists we can place, and we are also committed to making sure that hosts are comfortable with every arrangement. We also communicate with artists about what hosts are able to offer and
what they are not, to ensure that the situation is as clear as possible to all involved. Sometimes expectations differ based on factors like culture and previous experience, and we encourage hosts to be comfortable explaining their needs to artists directly or to reach out to Cultural Survival to assist with any additional communication needed after the artist arrives.
Is there a member of Cultural Survival who I can contact in case of emergencies? Absolutely! You can reach Candyce at 860-501-7375 and Maya at 646-474-5927. Please note, these are our personal cell phone numbers, which we share only to make sure we are reachable and trust that you will keep private and use after hours only for emergencies!