In 2002 social justice activists, environmentalists and artists came together with a dream of creating a space that would bring various like-minded groups and the community together to forge a strong partnership by respecting the needs and visions of one another.  The Independent Media Center, the Confluence, (a radical periodical), the Gateway Green Alliance and Food Not Bombs then purchased and rehabbed an old and very large building in South St. Louis.

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It has been a long journey since the CAMP collective purchased property in the Cherokee neighborhood.  For the next 16 years CAMP worked in and out of the Cherokee St building supporting a variety programs. 

 

Many events, conferences, meetings, classes, parties and celebrations took place inside those brick walls. These activities were an embodiment of our mission.  Piano, violin and ukulele lessons were provided for children and adults in the neighborhood.  The People’s Joy Parade was organized and costumes for neighborhood children were made at CAMP.  Puppet shows, yoga classes, computer labs, cooking classes, birthday parties, baby showers, memorials, Kwanza celebrations, Capoeira classes, and art exhibits all took place at CAMP. For many years the bike shop in the garage taught neighborhood children how to fix and maintain bicycles that became their own after repairs. Food Not Bombs operated out of CAMP.  WASABI provided a community wireless network.  The Green Party of St. Louis/Gateway Green Alliance held regular meetings and events at CAMP.  March Against Monsanto demonstrations were organized and non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) conferences were also hosted there. So much occurred at CAMP during those years that it is impossible to name it all.  CAMP even hosted a  few Punk Rock shows!  A residential collective operated on the second floor for most of this time with backyard gardens, fruit trees, chickens and beehives on the garage roof.  The second floor was also home to artists who rented studio space.

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CAMP began as an experiment bringing together Cherokee St. community/residents, artists and activists.  In 2018 the CAMP building was sold but our collective maintained and its original vision endures: 

 

As a legacy to this mission we are now offering mini-grants available to organizations that share this vision. The CAMP Mini Grant Awards Program has been established to promote social and environmental justice work and community arts projects.  Our collective has decided to embrace its founding principals and to continue our journey by offering this resource.

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The Community Arts and Movement Project (C.A.M.P) empowers creative expression using art, media, education and urban sustainability to celebrate diversity, promote healthy living and connect efforts for social and environmental justice.