The Playgrounds

The Playgrounds is a monthlong event hosted by ten (The Emergence Network) happening mostly online from November 9th  - December 4th. Together, we will convene a diverse menagerie of playmates – human and more-than – to plumb the depths of the ludic. ten will host approximately 8 - 9 online offerings per week, hosted by an incredibly diverse group of contributors over the four weeks of the event. Play sessions will happen on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays throughout the Playgrounds. The exact times of the sessions will be announced soon; we aim to schedule sessions that will work for multiple time-zones across the globe. The virtual encounters will last between 30 and 120 minutes each. As the purpose of this event is to actually play together, all sessions will be interactive, experimental and participatory, so if you sign up… please come ready to engage. This is not an event for bystanders. Your ticket to the Playgrounds offers you access to all online sessions, a community platform for asynchronous weaving and weekly spaces for integration. Local hosts will also offer some in-person self-organized gatherings; access to these will depend on the organizing teams on the ground.

Please read about our pricing plan and sliding scale options for payment as you make a decision about how much to contribute for the event:

The Playgrounds is offered in the spirit of the gift culture. We invite you to make a gift to support the artists and contributors who are helping to make this event come to life. Please contribute what you can and then a little bit more. Any additional funds raised will go to support the work of ten (The Emergence Network) in 2027. We ask that all participants make some financial contribution for the festival, no matter the size. However, if you feel deeply challenged by the financial requirements of participation, please write to us at [email protected]. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds or access to a credit/debit card.

We offer a sliding scale based on your relative financial standing. The huge range between the scale is meant to reflect not only the incredible disparity in economic conditions between different parts of the world but also the historical reality of stolen wealth in many different forms generally from the so-called Global South to the North. Ultimately, the payment system is designed for those with more access to wealth to cover the costs of those with less access to wealth; we trust your discernment of how you personally fit into this global economic context. 

Medium Access to Wealth: $150 - $300 USD
High Access to Wealth: $300 - $500 USD
Low Access to Wealth: $25 - $150 USD
Pay-it-Forward: $500 USD + (financially support someone else’s participation) 

As you decide what amount to pay, we ask that you not only consider your present-day financial situation governed by income but also factors including: