Meet Sarah Bob of New Gallery Concert Series and The Nasty Cooperative

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Bob.

Sarah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Back in 2000, I was fresh out of graduate school, a pianist who loved contemporary music and visual art with the tunnel vision of making sure my artistic soul was thoroughly quenched, I was asked by fellow teacher and performer, saxophonist Kenneth Radnofsky, if I wanted to start a series at the school we both worked for. Our conversation was quick, no beats skipped.

Yes. New music and new visual art. Go.

Here was my opportunity to be surrounded by visual, visual of today, no less, and still give myself and my musician colleague’s opportunities of our own. What is new? What does new mean to you? To me? “If Sarah and NewGal curate it,” writes Robert Kirzinger, Assistant Director of Program Publications of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, “it’s because the music and the art and its creators have moved us, made us think and feel–it’s not about trying to define what musical style should be in our time, but presenting excellent and powerful work from a variety of voices.” Embarking on season nineteen this fall, the New Gallery Concert Series is still committed to outstanding, talented, friendly, passionate and LIVING people. With works that span the spectrum from classical-contemporary, improvisation, electronic music, jazz, folk, art song, DJ-ing, opera and the avant-garde to sculpture, painting, indoor installations, photography, graphic and children’s book illustrations, visual music, video art and film, NGCS’s programs are cohesive, diverse, exciting, and intimate.

So, I got into the groove of putting these NewGal events together to the point that when it came time to plan my own wedding in 2007 it was a breeze. It was when our 2016 election happened that this skill set kicked into gear again. I had a strong desire and an unnerving panic to DO something, anything, to feel like I was helping the resistance of our new administration in a meaningful and capable way. What are my strengths? I was well aware of all of the things I personally couldn’t do that made me sad, including the inability to make large financial donations of any kind, so, instead of looking outward, I turned inward thus the Nasty Cooperative based in Jamaica Plain was born. The Nasty Cooperative is a bunch of pop-up dialogue driven artistic events to help build community, raise funds for organizations in need, and encourage others to do the same. The Nasty Cooperative is a completely volunteer initiative and ALL proceeds are donated. The goal is to raise funds for organizations that we need to succeed while simultaneously providing a space for the arts, mini-lectures, and open dialogue.  Part performance, part guided conversation with a representative from the organization we are donating to, 100% informative and inspiring. We want to hear our neighbors’ ideas, build awareness about each other and the organizations who are doing all they can to help, and also find out what steps we can take locally.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I must admit, while I knew there would (and still will) be bumps in the road, I was surprised by a few that I hit early on. Before becoming its own tax exempt non-profit organization, the New Gallery Concert Series was just a free running event inside a school. When it was clear that I wanted to take NGCS to the next level, I was struck by the push back I got from the administration and their inability to understand why I would want to pay people. It was disheartening to see that it was so easy for people to disregard the work of artists as well as a clear kick in my pants to make NewGal its own nonprofit. Money is always a struggle and I wish I had more time to write more grants and/or hire others to do so. That is also true for graphic design, PR, and staying up to date with the advantages of internet technology (any takers out there?), even getting a salary for myself. Though headquarters are in Jamaica Plain, finding venues outside of our wonderful 25 Lowell Street spot at the New School of Music/Cambridge Art Association that is also open to all kinds of art, has a piano, and good lighting is also challenging.

Finding the time to do it all, from running the nonprofit to learning the notes to the music I premiere, and keeping balance with my family is a juggling act. Fortunately, I have an incredibly supportive and generous husband, Aaron Trant, who understands the work intimately as a percussionist and composer himself. Even with our somewhat flexible schedules, however, this juxtaposition of life’s work has made it very clear to me to make sure that our parent-participant needs, especially for moms, are always catered to.

As for the Nasty Cooperative, PR and finding a venue can also be tricky. Most of our events have been in residences, some with pianos, and some without. While I am very grateful for the donation the space, the only issue with residential venues is the PR. Most people do not want their home address in the paper or running rampant on social media. It is not the hardest thing in the world to ask people to contact me directly for the address but not ideal.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the New Gallery Concert Series / The Nasty Cooperative story. Tell us more about the business.
The New Gallery Concert Series collaborates directly with composers and artists to present new works of music and visual art. NewGal is committed to building a unique community that highlights dialogue between musicians, visual artists and members of the audience that makes it one of the most refreshing organizations of its kind. The idea of new or contemporary, especially in music, often makes people uncomfortable. My goal is to introduce music in a loving, inclusive and intoxicating way. I create a safe space for all of us to expand our looking and listening comfort zones, for growing our eyes and ears, for making well thought opinions–whether we like all of the pieces or not–and getting something remarkable out of every experience. We are a “feel good” organization, mirroring our presentations with how we would sincerely like the world to work through kindness, passion, thoughtfulness, and inspiration. I am working to show, YES, this music *is* for you and that NGCS is a coming together of music and art that celebrates the NOW, promotes musicians and visual artists who breathe the same air as you do, feel the same anguish and joy about our current events as you do, and who strive for success for freedom of expression and the ability to share it as you do. We are here to reflect our surroundings and to encourage our composers, our performers, our painters, sculptors, film makers, multimedia artists (and more, more, more) to stay strong and pursue. I am working to curate/program events that our audience, musicians or not, can relate to with works that are eclectic, thought provoking, and fun. A top priority for us is to forge relationships with our participants and our audience.

In its much shorter existence, the Nasty Cooperative has already supported Moms Rising, Black Lives Matter, Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights, Hands to Heart Yoga Center, Camp Aranu’tiq for Transgender and Transient Youth, and looked at social justice through a special education lens with the Melody Arons Center. It has become an outlet for our frustrations, as well as an intake of information and neighborly love. This has made me exceedingly proud. The Nasty Cooperative is a completely volunteer-based initiative with a $10 suggested donation at events. What I have found is that people not only emotionally need a place to be able to learn, share, and be activated, they want it. This is true for the musicians who donate their time as well as the people who come to discover. All of the organizations’ representatives are kind, well informed, and open for conversation, eager to share, to hear, and to help. This is the kind of symbiotic world we need to live in. The fact that the arts can help and can actually BE the kind of power to provide accessibility, information, and motivation to others is all the more reason to treasure it, use it constantly, and responsibly.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
To know me is to know that I am a very grateful person. I feel very lucky. I wake up every day grateful to be a professional musician, to have parents that have always, always supported me, to live now in Jamaica Plain as a wife and mother, to work with compassionate and thoughtful colleagues that both envelop our city and beyond, the ability to find a voice through my art and use it for good. My cup runneth over when I see friends, colleagues, and strangers come out of the woodwork to volunteer their time, their skills, and their venues for the Nasty Cooperative’s mission. I feel lucky to have evolved into a person who can define success by this kind of happiness and pursuit. My gratitude to still be able to put New Gallery Concert Series events together after nineteen years (and still going!) and continue to have the opportunity to discover new ideas, new sounds, new sights, new people, to have raised enough funding to create our first NewGal album (stay tuned!), to have a board of powerful women who are electrified in making NewGal the best it can be, and co-sponsors at the New School of Music and Cambridge Art Association who also strive for this success is thrilling. I feel lucky that I am privileged enough to know that I have the option to work with high quality, talented AND kind artists. I learn from all of them and this is so vital. I am very lucky.

Pricing:

• New Gallery Concert Series: $20 adult/$15 student and senior
• Nasty Cooperative: SUGGESTED $10 donation

Contact Info:

• Website: www.newgalleryconcertseries.org ; www.sarahbob.net/nasty-cooperative
• Phone: 617-254-4133
• Email: newgalleryconcertseries@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Tina Tallon, Erin Shoudy Meyer, Tom Steenland, Dave Jamrog, Ling Wen Tsai

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