Mutual Aid for Small Businesses: Insights from Unassigned Gallery's Nour Abdullatif
Nour Abdullatif, who established Unassigned Gallery in Melbourne/Naarm nearly four years ago, emphasizes the importance of mutual aid for small enterprises. The gallery is dedicated to making art accessible through various exhibitions and events. Abdullatif distinguishes mutual aid from traditional charity by focusing on a collective-care model that encompasses activities like cooking, cleaning, and sharing resources. Significant fundraising efforts include The Time That Remains, which garnered over $10k for Palestine, and The Big Lesbian Fundraiser, which raised over $30k in just one week. Smaller initiatives typically collect around $600 each for gender-affirming care. Current projects involve donating life drawing prize packs and offering free workshops. Abdullatif encourages transparency, community engagement, and effective social media strategies. Other businesses participating in mutual aid are Shop Bao Ngoc and Catalyst Social Centre.
Key facts
- Unassigned Gallery is a grassroots community gallery in Melbourne/Naarm, opened almost four years ago.
- Nour Abdullatif is the founder and director of Unassigned Gallery.
- Mutual aid differs from charity by being non-hierarchical and focusing on collective care.
- The Time That Remains is an annual music night fundraiser for Palestine with Made in Palestine, raising over $10k.
- The Big Lesbian Fundraiser for Palestine raised over $30k in one week via ticket sales and silent auction of 85 artworks.
- Life drawing events raised about $600 each for gender-affirming care.
- Current mutual aid efforts include a vending machine with Alex Frazer's work and workshops with Helen from A Kindsugi Future.
- Other businesses: Shop Bao Ngoc has a community fridge, Catalyst Social Centre has a free food market, Chibi & Esme donate earnings, Pink Ember and Schoolhouse Studios donate gallery space.
Entities
Artists
- Nour Abdullatif
- Alex Frazer
- Helen
Institutions
- Unassigned Gallery
- Made in Palestine
- Lesbian Mud Wrestling
- Shop Bao Ngoc
- Catalyst Social Centre
- Chibi & Esme
- Pink Ember
- Schoolhouse Studios
Locations
- Melbourne
- Naarm
- Australia