Become a PMI member today! It helps Lumpen Radio.
Please join us in supporting the conglomeration of arts and media work that’s revolved around Lumpen in Chicago since 1991. From our cultural programs to our radio station to our mutual aid initiatives, we’re still working tirelessly to take care of a weird crossroads for artists, neighbors, activists, and journalists in Chicago and beyond.
Check out the membership gifts below and then read on to find out more about some of the work we did in 2023 and our commitments for 2024!
All members can elect to receive a $10 Buddy gift certificate and the new Lumpen Magazine Mutual Aid Issue.
Community Member: $5/month OR a $50+ one time donation
Receive a brand new Co-Prosperity hat designed by Co-Prosperity Programming Council Artist Jesse Malmed as well as a brand new Lumpen Radio bumper sticker.
Collaborator: $10/month OR a $100+ one time donation
Pick a limited risograph print made by Co-Prosperity council artists. Plus the hat and sticker!
Co-Conspirator: $20/month OR a $200+ one time donation
Receive a copy of The Lumpen Times, a 500 page behemoth documenting 30 years of Lumpen Magazine, a front for the left in the arts. Plus the hat, the sticker, and a print!
Co-Host: $50/month OR a $500+ one time donation
All the above, plus the full set of all 7 limited-edition artist risograph prints!
PMI’s dedication to mutual aid in 2023
In 2023, we sunset our Community Kitchen covid relief food program to focus our efforts on aiding our asylum-seeking neighbors, collaborating with mutual aid groups to extend support where it’s most needed. We have distributed over 100 cell phones to folks and are gearing up for the biggest distribution yet, of over 400 new phones.
At Buddy, we sold hundreds of artist-designed “Helping Handle” tote bags to raise funds for our cell phone distribution efforts.
At Lumpen Radio, we launched the Mutual Aid Report, a radio show hosted by Stephanie Manriquez and Mario Smith spotlighting grassroots mutual aid initiatives in Chicago.
At Lumpen Magazine, we released the Mutual Aid Issue of the magazine, which you can get in the mail if you donate at any level.
At Co-Prosperity, we hosted the Paper Jam, a month-long celebration of Printmaking, in collaboration with Chicago Printers Guild and Eric Von Haynes, director of The Love Fridge project.
What you’ll be supporting in 2024
Co-Prosperity, an artist-run center
We’re excited for exhibitions next year from Prison Neighborhood Art Project, Jen Delos Reyes, Songjae Lee and Gericault De La Rose, and many more. Here’s a preview of next year’s shows!
Lumpen Radio WLPN, a community radio station
Neighborhood Amplification Project – A brand new Lumpen Radio project commissioning audio portraits of southwest neighborhoods Bronzeville, Back of the Yards and La Villita, to be celebrated at big listening parties with live performances and meals in each neighborhood.
MdW, a coalition of artist-run projects in the midwest
In 2024, we’re expanding our coalition of artist organizations across the greater Midwest, launching a new set of commissioned MdW Atlas essays, a series of dinners and panel conversations at Co-Prosperity and around the midwest, culminating in the MdW Summit in Kansas City next November! Stay Tuned!
Buddy, a store for local artists at the Chicago Cultural Center
Buddy just won an RFP with the city to stay for two more years at the Chicago Cultural Center! Look forward to new collaborations with mutual aid and arts organizations in the city, and of course the 400+ local artists who have their work for sale at the store!