FAQs & Transparency

The Rebel Loon Archive is a curated, 200-page hardcover art book documenting the artistic response to Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. More than 300 artists have volunteered their paintings, sculptures, poetry, embroidery, and more. These artists are from everywhere from Minneapolis to the Philippines, but all have used their art to condemn the abuses Minnesota has suffered.

The project includes:

• A professionally printed art book

• A permanent digital archive

• A planned museum exhibition

The Archive preserves contemporary art addressing civic unrest for the long-term historical record.

The Rebel Loon Archive was founded and is directed by Erica Helander, a Minnesotan writer and editor. The project is supported by a small working team composed of design professionals, curatorial advisors, archivists, and administrative contributors. Some team members are compensated at fair market rates for professional services, while others are contributing their time in a volunteer capacity.

The Rebel Loon Archive operates as a limited liability company (LLC) and is fiscally sponsored by Friends of the Art Center, the nonprofit sister organization to the taxpayer-funded Waterloo Center for the Arts.

Through fiscal sponsorship, Friends of the Art Center provides nonprofit oversight for the charitable components of the project and supports institutional accountability.

The Waterloo Center for the Arts is the Archive’s museum partner.

The Waterloo Center for the Arts (WCA) is located approximately three hours from the Twin Cities and is deeply involved in the regional art ecosystem.

Although not physically based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, WCA regularly engages with artists across the Upper Midwest and has demonstrated a strong commitment to preserving contemporary cultural expression.

As a smaller institution, WCA has the ability to pivot quickly in support of time-sensitive, community-driven projects such as The Rebel Loon Archive.

The project has also been in active communication with Minnesota-based historical societies and archival professionals to align on preservation standards and long-term stewardship.

The Archive remains Minnesota-centered in leadership, subject matter, artistic participation, and community focus.

Kickstarter has a strong track record for art book and publishing campaigns. Its all-or-nothing funding model ensures the project proceeds only if fully funded, protecting contributors and backers from under-resourced production.

Alternative platforms were considered. Kickstarter was selected for its publishing audience, transparency tools, and established fulfillment structure.

Kickstarter funds the production of creative projects. Funds raised through this campaign will be used exclusively to produce and fulfill the book and related project components.

Kickstarter does not process charitable donations directly. For compliance reasons, the campaign is structured as a publishing project, not a direct donation drive. Kickstarter has approved the project draft, including a clear description of the financial structure.

After all direct production, printing, shipping, and fulfillment costs are covered, any net proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Immigrant Defense Network.

Charitable transfers will be documented in coordination with the project’s fiscal sponsor.

Our $15,000 funding goal reflects the documented minimum required to responsibly produce and fulfill a 200-page hardcover art book at the scale of this project.

This amount covers:

• Print proofing and color calibration

• Initial print run costs

• Contributor copies

• Packaging materials and fulfillment supplies

• Digital archive hosting setup

• Kickstarter platform and payment processing fees

The goal was calculated using documented quotes from vendors.

The largest single production expense is contributor copies. Although artists are not paid for inclusion, it is a priority of the Archive that each contributor receive a complimentary digital copy of the book, and each contributor published in the physical book receive a complimentary copy of the finished book. This ensures that participation is not extractive and that artists share meaningfully in the tangible outcome of the project.

Kickstarter operates on an all-or-nothing model. Setting the goal at the true minimum production threshold ensures that the Archive will only proceed if it can be produced to the quality and scale promised.

If the campaign exceeds $15,000, additional funds will support expanded print runs, exhibition preparation, and increased charitable proceeds after costs are covered.

If you are choosing between backing the Archive’s Kickstarter and contributing to rent or food assistance, please support rent and food first. Survival always comes before a book. I do not want this project to divert resources from immediate needs.

At the same time, there are people who may not otherwise engage directly with mutual aid efforts but are drawn to projects like this. After all production and fulfillment costs are covered, net proceeds from The Rebel Loon Archive will go to the Immigrant Defense Network.

The Archive exists to support the local community by preserving primary sources while they still exist, raising awareness nationally and internationally, and contributing to the long-term historical record alongside ongoing direct aid efforts.

Minimum funding is based on an initial print run of 500 copies. The order will be produced based on confirmed backer orders plus a modest additional inventory allocation.

If the campaign exceeds its goal, expanded print runs may be considered to support broader distribution and post-campaign sales.

• 8.5x11” landscape

• Soft-touch hardcover

• Approximately 200 pages

• 80# satin paper selected for high-quality art reproduction

• Professionally-managed layout

The printer has been selected based on quality, cost, and turnaround reliability.

Book layout is being handled by experienced designers with background in printed art publications. Color proofing and physical proofs will be reviewed prior to final print approval.

The selected printer, located within the United States, has high-quality offset G7 printers and specializes in short-to-mid-run publishing.

Yes.

Artists retain full copyright ownership of their submitted work.

The Rebel Loon Archive receives a limited, non-exclusive license to reproduce the artwork in:

• The printed book

• The digital archive

• Exhibition materials related to the project

Artists remain free to publish, sell, or license their work elsewhere without restriction.

Yes.

The project submission form, reviewed by an intellectual property attorney, serves as the good-faith contributor agreement for participation in the Archive. It outlines:

• Copyright retention

• Scope of reproduction rights

• Non-exclusive licensing

• Artist crediting

• Art disqualification if generative AI was used

• Use within the printed book, digital archive, and exhibition contexts

Artists or public figures who require additional formal documentation are welcome to provide it.

Several contributors have submitted supplemental agreements, which have been incorporated into the project record.

Any post-campaign book sales will follow the same financial structure:

Production and fulfillment costs are covered first.

Net proceeds are donated to the Immigrant Defense Network.

Sales and charitable transfers will be documented in coordination with the project’s fiscal sponsor.

Kickstarter operates on an all-or-nothing model. If the campaign does not meet its funding goal:

• No funds are collected

• No books are printed beyond the intial short run of proofs and promotional copies

• Artists retain full rights to their work

The project may be reassessed or relaunched at a later date.

Following fulfillment of the campaign, charitable transfers from net proceeds will be documented in coordination with Friends of the Art Center and published online.

Transparency updates will be provided to backers and collaborators.