ALPHA FAQs

See the ALPHA home page for this year's dates.

ALPHA focuses on supporting artists and interactive projects in every way we can. We expect to see creators demonstrating interactive projects in a wide variety of media and disciplines, in order to test them out and get support from other creators. We intend for everyone who comes to ALPHA to offer something to the community... a performance, a workshop, hosting a meet-up... to provide lots of opportunities for others to learn and for the community to interact and get to know each other. There is an effigy burn on the Saturday of ALPHA. Activities and events happen throughout the day and into the evening. Participants may or may not be wearing costumes.

What does 'Participatory Art' mean? It means everyone participates! And that everyone - yes, even you - is an artist. In the past we've had everything from rat taxidermy to rock operas, plenty of fire art, DJs, low-fi projects like compliment booths, happy hours, and workshops on how to roll down a hill like a panda, to technologically complex interactive video art and light sculpture games.

Maybe you consider yourself an artist every day, or maybe you’re just trying on the idea. We ask everyone who comes to ALPHA to be involved in an interactive project in some way. Our curatorial team as well as fellow participants will be happy to talk this through with you and help you figure it out if you need help. 

You’ll be asked to submit your project to a form that will come with your ticket confirmation, and we will also follow up with you on your projects. 

ALPHA takes place at Camp Ramblewood, a very well equipped campground on the Susquehanna River in Maryland. A bed in a cabin is included with your ticket. You will be assigned to a cabin and are welcome to let us know who you’d like to bunk with, we’ll accommodate as best as possible. Entire cabins can be reserved for an additional fee. If you prefer to pitch your own tent you are welcome to do so. 

Meal plans are available for advance purchase on our ticketing page.The plan includes six meals: Thursday dinner, Friday brunch, Friday dinner, Saturday brunch, Saturday dinner, Sunday brunch.  

You can register your project (or projects) using the link that you will find in the email you receive after you purchase your tickets. If you are unable to find that link, please email the team: alpha (at) figmentproject (dot) org.  

$20 of every paid admission to ALPHA will go directly to arts projects that are being presented or worked on at ALPHA. With each admission, you will receive 4 ALPHA tokens ($5 value each). These tokens may be given to creators who are showing projects at ALPHA to support the realization of their project. Creators can redeem their tokens after the event for direct financial support to finance their project and bring it to other events. The other events may include FIGMENT events, Burning Man, Coachella, or any other event you're bringing your project to.

When possible we also help participants access free or low-cost resources and connect them to each other to create car pools.  

Anyone can submit a project to ALPHA! In fact, we want every person who comes to ALPHA to actively participate in creating and providing the content for ALPHA. We'd like you to bring your art project, host a workshop or meetup on a topic you know something about, or offer a performance. You can register your project (or projects) using the link that you will find in the email you receive after you purchase your tickets.

Creators of all kinds are welcome at ALPHA... sculptors, social scientists, playwrights, performers, filmmakers, musicians, philosophers, designers, architects, photographers, light artists, dancers, DJs, fire artists, physicists, improvisationalists, theatre artists, environmental designers, producers, psychics, communicators, collaborators, facilitators, healers, volunteers... The only requirement is that you are working on a project that is interactive or participatory in some way, and that you're willing to step out of your comfort zone, try something new, and collaborate with others.

No! Artists are welcome who are creating work for FIGMENT events or for any other arts events or individual installations or performances.

Key projects will be given placement on a rolling basis. If you have a large project or a project that requires specific placement or infrastructure, please submit it as soon as possible so that we can accommodate it. You can register your project (or projects) using the link that you will find in the email you receive after you purchase your tickets. All projects must be submitted by April 1st to be listed in publication and to get official placement and scheduling.

You may begin setting up your project at 12pm/noon on Thursday, and everyone and all projects must leave by 2pm on Sunday. Please email our team at [email protected] if you have any special issues that require you to set up before the beginning of the event, or complete deinstall after the conclusion of the event.

We kindly ask that you do not sell anything at ALPHA. ALPHA is a decommodified event at which nothing at all is for sale.

See our Getting There page for directions.

Yes. If your project requires these things, please let us know in the submission form.

No, per our hosts rules, please don't bring any pets or animals to ALPHA.

Yes, ALPHA is an all ages event, and you can bring your children if you want. Children from 0-2 years old are considered their own art project, and are free to bring (please get a free ticket so that we know they're coming!). Children from 3-8 years old need a children's ticket. Children 0 and up will need a regular adult ticket. We also offer children's meal plans for kids from 3-8 years old. If you bring your child, you will need to be responsible for supervising him or her at all times and you will need to sign a waiver on your child's behalf. Just as any other participant, children are expected to bring projects to ALPHA and to participate as fully as possible.

Yes, but we need to know that you're coming to make sure that we have space for you. Please email us at alpha (at) figmentproject (dot) org to let us know how big your vehicle is and what you'll be using it for so we can plan a good spot for you. Please note that there are no RV hookups available at Camp Ramblewood.

ALPHA is a rain or shine event. There is a good amount of indoor space at Ramblewood and projects will be inside as well as outside. Please prepare for wet or cold weather.

We generate a map and list of events the week of ALPHA for posting and distribution at the event, but in the mean time check out the Past Events page to see what we got up to in the previous years!

You should plan to bring art, and also a tent (if you don't want to sleep in a cabin!), clothes, and bedding! For other items, please see our What to Bring page!

Email the ALPHA team at [email protected].