Participate

Ranger Speed Bump (photo SandwichGirl)

Without you Balsa Man is nothing more than a diminuant man waiting to be set ablaze. Last year’s Balsa Burn was a triumphant success due to the people who showed up and put their heart into something small.

If you are planning on attending this year’s Balsa Man and haven’t been to a previous Balsa Man you should read our Balsa Man 2009 Survival Guide (we will be producing a 2010 Survival Guide soon!). We encourage everyone who attends this year’s Balsa Man to participate in thier own little way.

How to Participate

  • Create Tiny Art! The theme for this year is “The Forged Village” — tiny art does not have to relate to the theme but we encourage all to think about what it is that brings people together and makes communities meaningful. We invite all Balsa Man artists to submit a tiny art grant proposal (theme is not a requirement for receiving an art grant). If you would like to bring art please visit read our Tiny Art Guidelines and our Tiny Art Grant submission process.
  • Join Balsa DTW! There isnt much of a city to build so Balsa Dept. of Tiny Works is a pretty low responsiblity job. Still what would the burn be without them? Before the event, the Balsa DTW is responsible for: creating the 3×5″ Burma Shave signs leading into the event, helping mark the Tiny Art Main Street and installing up the tiny trash fence—yes we do have a tiny trash fence. After the burn, the Balsa DTW is responsible for removal of the trash fence and helping with cleanup. During the burn, the Balsa DPW is responsible for being as snarky as they wanna be while drinking PBR. If you are interested in joining the Balsa DTW please email dtw@balsaman.org
  • Join the Balsa Man KCrew! The Balsa Man himself is diminutive yet he is intricate. We need help with chopping, gluing, pyrotechnics, and transportation. If you would like to be part of the Balsa Man Man KCrew please email info@balsaman.org
  • Host a Balsa Build Night! Making tiny art is best enjoyed in groups. With the ability to collectively share tools, glue, and ideas (and whiskey), creativity flourishes—plus it’s a great way to meet people. If you are interested in hosting a build night at your place and would like to promote it through the Balsa Man website please email info@balsaman.org
  • Host a Balsa Regional in your home town! If you are a tiny art enthusiast and can’t make it to the main event think about hosting your own Balsa Regional. The recent Tiny Shanty Tiny Fire Arts Festival was an amazing time. If you are interested in hosting a Balsa Regional please contact regionals@balsaman.org. Balsa Regional leads are eligible for receiving a Tiny Art Grant and Balsa Man goods for their regional burn.
  • Write for the Balsa Blog! We will be using the Balsa Blog to showcase all our tiny artists but in order to make that happen we need to bring in a few talented writers so as to make this site great. If writing for the Balsa Blog interests you please email me at info@balsaman.org.
  • Donate to the Black Pebble Arts Foundation! You can of course donate to the BPAF which helps pay the materials costs to build the Balsa Man and more importantly provides art grants to all our tiny artists. We accept monitary donations as well as in kind donations in the form of balsa wood, art materials, and tools—you won’t beleive how much glue and how many xacto blades our artists go through. For more information about how to donate to the BPAF please visit our Donations page.