# Noun City – Creative Retreat & Community Engagement at Art City in Tucumcari, NM ⌐◨⁻◨

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

## Background

In April 2025, Nouns DAO funded [Prop 757](https://www.nouns.camp/proposals/757), resulting in the creation of a massive Nounish landmark at [Art City](https://visitartcity.com/), 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.

[![Watch the video](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/545815c3e4b0c42e0d7a6235/7503ab9d-a2c1-44d8-b4ef-e0a41d54188a/Screenshot+2025-09-15+at+6.42.55%E2%80%AFPM.png?format=2500w "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4eV4uLMCu4")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4eV4uLMCu4)

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](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14gz41JzfRJ0CbeidcMBRUYZaoZXFxGXlpUNQuC6ELDA/edit?usp=sharing) about Art City at the [Aspen Design Conference](https://www.aspendesignconference.com/).

[![Noun City Landmark](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/5ujarpl0/staging/172a7853cc7a33557c2613ee329f5c7ba82fdb7e-970x1144.webp "https://visitartcity.com/art/noun-0")](https://visitartcity.com/art/noun-0)

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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](https://visitartcity.com/art/noun-0) 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. 

![Descriptive alt text](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/5ujarpl0/staging/9e1d34e86bb2a929b6434689adc36b18f5fc8370-874x946.webp)

## 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](https://www.instagram.com/homedepotbuckethead/) and friends      
- Special guest performance(s) ([Great Bingo Revival](https://www.thegreatbingorevival.com/), [Nakaloka](https://nakaloka.com/), 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](https://visitartcity.com/accommodations)**:**                                

- 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](https://blueswallowmotel.com/), [Motel Safari](https://themotelsafari.com/), [Roadrunner](https://roadrunnerlodge.com/).      
- $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.

[![Watch the video](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2qSWaNXbN6Q/hqdefault.jpg "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qSWaNXbN6Q")](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qSWaNXbN6Q)

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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.**

Outcome: EXECUTED