Michael Strand, department head for NDSU Visual Arts, helped organize a recent project that generated an outpouring of volunteerism in the community.

During the Studio Crawl on Oct. 1-2, he created an “alternative economy,” where participants were challenged to pay for works of art through service rather than currency. The volunteers documented their experiences on Strand’s blog at www.michaeljstrand.com/#!ex.change.

“After communicating the concept to well over 500 people over the weekend, the response was overwhelmingly positive. So much so, that we literally ‘sold out’ of most items,” Strand wrote on his blog. “This project generated over 450 hours of dedicated, new community goodness in the region. This is the equivalent of hiring someone full time for three months working on projects that benefit a broad spectrum of community members.”

According to Strand, the system is backed by people’s time, rather than gold or printed currency. He said the EX.change pays 15 Exchange Currency for every hour of new community service or volunteer work pledged. Participants then are asked to take photograms of their community service and provide a short written account of their experience.

Strand wrote more EX.change events are being planned, and an EX.change blog will be launched at www.artstimulus.org as projected are completed.