FAQs
If you still have questions after viewing this page, please email us.
Q: Where can I stay while I’m here for Conflux festival?
A: Some good sites to help find cheap housing are:
Here’s a list of some specific places close to Conflux Headquarters with reasonably priced rooms
- Broadway Hotel and Hostel
- Sky Hotel and Hostel
- Holiday Inn Express
- Lafayette International Hostel
- Glenwood Hostel
- Sun Bright Hotel
- World Hotel Inc.
- SoHotel
- La Semana Hotel
Q: How will my event be scheduled at Conflux?
A: If you are a Conflux workshop presenter (not a ConfluxCity participant, for that, see the ConfluxCity FAQ section, below), your event will be scheduled by the curatorial team in an effort to best balance the variety of events and projects being presented this year. The schedule will be announced on the Conflux website in August, which will leave you plenty of time to make arrangements with your own schedule.
Q: How do I find out what’s happening at Conflux?
A: Check our online schedule for specific events you want to attend, or just come to our headquarters at NYU’s Barney Building on 34 Stuyvesant Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues where you’ll find artists present their work. At headquarters, you’ll also be able to view the schedule, maps and information regarding projects going on away from headquarters.
Q: Is there public transportation near the headquarters?
A: Yes. Subway is the easiest way to get to the Barney Building, 34 Stuyvesant Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues in Manhattan. Closest subways are: R to 8th St, 6 to Astor Place, or a 10 minute walk from the many lines located at Union Square.
Q: Is there public wifi available at the headquarters?
A: Yes.
Q: How do I get to Conflux HQ from the airport?
A: Our HQ is located at NYU’s Barney Building, 34 Stuyvesant St between 2nd and 3rd Avenues in Manhattan. If you are taking a taxi you can print direction from the following links depending on which airport you will be coming from:
- FROM JFK: Directions from JFK
- FROM LAGUARDIA: Directions from LGA
- FROM NEWARK: Directions from Newark
You can also click on the following links for other types/options of public transportation from the airport:
- LaGuardia: Transportation options
- JFK: Transportation options
ConfluxCity FAQs
Q: What is radical self reliance?
A: Inspired by the DIY philosophy of Burning Man, ConfluxCity artists are expected to be self reliant for all aspects of their projects. This means that the Conflux team will not be able to help with securing funding, planning, permits, or any other aspect of ConfluxCity events.
Q: Is finding a site for my project completely up to me?
A: Yes, the placement for your project is entirely your decision and responsibility, as is communicating the location in which you choose to present your project. In the guidelines for submission we included this information: “Only events that take place in the New York City area are eligible. They may be outdoors or in a venue you provide.” While ConfluxCity staff are not endorsing particular spaces nor assuming liability for scheduling venues, the following link provides a potentially useful venue listing for Greenwich Village: http://www.bizbash.com/newyork/venues/?prdNeighbourId=15
Q: How will people know when and where to find my project? A: We encourage you to include as much information as possible on your own website, since this will be primary location for people to learn the details about your project, including the start time and location. We will link from our website to yours.
You can also print and bring flyers about your project to Conflux and we’ll feature an area at the festival HQ in the Barney Building just for ConfluxCity information. Remember to put all relevant details about your project on your flyer so participants know where to find you on Sunday, September 2o.
Q: Where can I ship materials/equipment I need for my project to in NYC?
A: ConfluxCity is currently unable to provide a shipping address for materials and equipment for projects. We encourage artists to arrange your own local contact and mailing address.
Q: Do you have any tips for planning my event?
A: If you are a participant, here are some tips for producing a fantastic event:
- Start early: the sooner you get started preparing your project the better prepared you will be for gathering necessary materials and co-ordinating logistics.
- Be resourceful: recruit your friends to help you and use this website as a tool to post further questions and suggestions for the event production, as this can help all participants; consider your connections with school or community groups that might be able to assist you with your event.
- Promote your project: post your participation in Conflux on your website or blog, and use social networking tools such as Facebook, MySpace, etc. For example, use Twitter to post updates on the production of your project, post works-in-progress pictures on Flickr. Show people how your project works on Instructables. Spreading the word early will help to ensure an enthusiastic audience for your event in September.
Q: What are my rights in conducting events in public space?
A: This is a very helpful resource: New York Civil Liberties Union [Know Your Rights]. You may also want to read this: NYPD Anti-Graffiti Initiative. Also, ask other artists and friends who you know work in public space about their experiences and how they’ve dealt with any issues that have come up.
Q: Can you help me secure materials for my project?
A: No. As a Conflux participant, you’ll be responsible for securing any equipment, materials and so on needed for your event. Check out Freecycle and Wastematch. Also, Craigslist has a section for bartering.
Q: Can you provide me with an assistant for my event?
A: Unfortunately not. We have a very small, all-volunteer staff, and while we’ll have several volunteers at Conlux HQ throughout the festival to help everyone, you’ll be responsible for providing any assistants you may need to conduct your event.
Q: Can the festival provide funding for my event?
A: Conflux cannot provide funding, but we may be able to assist in other ways, such as providing a letter of support. The best advice we can give here is to start planning early, and be flexible. Do reach out to friends and other artists for production assistance. You’ll be amazed at what you can create with very little funding.Q: Will my project be documented?
Q: Will my project be documented?
A: Part of the spirit of ConfluxCity means that participants and production staff will be taking photos and uploading them to the Conflux website, flickr, and other media. There is no guarantee that your particular project will be documented, but the more you self-promote, the greater the probability of attendance and documentation. You are encouraged to provide your own documentation of your project as well. The Creative Commons license applies to all ConfluxCity content.
Q: Does my project require a permit?
A: As a Conflux participant, you’ll be responsible for doing the research and securing any necessary permits for your event. If your project is outdoors and as strong amplified sound, the city REQUIRES a permit. Please do your research. This is a very helpful resource: Obtaining a Park Permit.
Q: Will I have access to other ConfluxCity artists before the event?
A: Conflux will have evening free evening events available to all Conflux artists and attendees on each of the festival evenings, Thursday September 17 – Sunday September 20. We hope this time will allow for mixing and mingling.
Q: How do I edit the shared ConfluxCity Google map?
A: Click on the invitation link. If you are not logged in (or do not have) a Google account, click on “Save to My Maps.” Then either sign in to your Google account or Click on Create an Account Now and create a new account.
