ARTS in 2021: Invest in Creative Youth Development

A Reason To Survive (ARTS) has a mission of lifting young people to become confident, compassionate, and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity ... which under "normal conditions" means welcoming youth and families to the ARTS Center in downtown National City, or working various Community ARTS project at sites like parks, school campuses, corner markets, and other public spaces throughout the South County region of San Diego.

But these are NOT normal times; the COVID pandemic has made 2020 an extraordinarily abnormal year, filled with anxiety and uncertainty. ARTS' response to the pandemic has been to provide creative outlets for youth and their families through healing-centered programming led by inspiring, professional teaching artists. Nothing about this year has been easy. Yet through it all --  through youth voices in virtual classes, in calls with parents, and at distribution events for our "ARTS Cares Kits" (art supplies for at-home projects) -- we've heard this message again and again:

ARTS' programming is a powerful force for connection, communication, and coping.
Now more than ever, YOUR support is an investment in the creative futures of the youth we serve. THANK YOU! 

A brief history of 2020:

* Our programming had to change significantly in response. InApril, we pivoted and launched ARTS @ Home: 10 virtual classes for the young people who had been enrolled in ARTS After School prior to the pandemic. This shift culminated on May 30 with ARTS' first "virtual" open house : "HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS", a creative showcase and celebration of our youth, families, teaching artists, interns, and team.

* Over Summer and Fall 2020, in  partnership with the National School District and Community Housing Works, and the Comic-Con Museum, ARTS' served more than 225 young people .

* Through partnerships with SDSU and the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency, we've engaged 15 interns through collaboration with teaching artists in our virtual classes, or supporting ARTS team members around our marketing, communications efforts -- we topped 2,000 followers on Instagram thanks to their graphic design chops and social media savvy! 

Some of the most fun we've had is making breakthroughs in the way youth and teaching artist curate and present their final works. Our gallery shows and live musical performances at ARTS have always been a fantastic culminating experience at the end of a program. COVID made us dig deeper with our creativity and find virtual exhibition tools to show off all the great work coming out of classes. Here's a link to the virtual gallery of works created by elementary age youth from schools in the National School District: https://www.artsteps.com/view/5f077e3e62d76e302c7e7c8b?currentUser

With this year coming to an end and 2021 right around the corner, we're facing the future together.

For many of us, uncertainties remain across so many aspects of our lives: How can my family and I stay healthy under these circumstances? Will work go back to normal (ever)? Will we have enough for housing, meals, and healthcare? Is remote learning going to continue the whole school year?  Can I get support because I know my mental health has suffered? Is Zoom and quarantine fatigue for real? (Yes!) 

If  the questions and lack of answers are overwhelming, well, let's at least admit it, say it aloud, share it with others, and finds new ways to come together and come back stronger. 

That's our humble hope and firm intention at ARTS -- and we need your help and support to do just that! 
Please donate to this campaign. 

Your support at any level goes a long way!

***

$10 - covers the cost of an ARTS t-shirt -- our team, teaching artists, volunteers, and interns love theirs :)

$20 - covers the "ARTS Cares " package -- a take-home art supply kit for youth in our ARTS @ Home
*** Check out this sweet ARTS Cares video!


$50 - covers the materials / supplies / and printing costs for one young person in our "Intro to Comic Books" class!

$75 - covers the cost of paints, canvases, and brushes for a whole class of elementary students in our "Art Buffet" class!

$150 -  covers costs for one teaching artist to join a facilitated Community of Care workshop focused on healing-centered program design
*** Invest in self-care and our Community of Care network!

$250 - covers costs for the wonderful music at ARTS: re-tuning pianos, re-stringing violins, cellos, and ukuleles, new instruments, recording software for our emerging producers and mixers.

$500 - supports the work of assistant teaching artist (ARTS After School), or a commission of an original mural or mosaic by a young artist (Community ARTS)

$1,000 - supports our teaching artists and team and goes a long way to covering the cost of (1) class for ARTS @ Home

All donations of $10 or more will receive an ARTS @ Home sticker.
All donations of $100 or more will receive stickers, PLUS a custom print, zine, or original work created by ARTS youth.
All donations of $500 or more will receive each of the above, PLUS: a special lunch and tour with ARTS team and board.
All donations of $1,000 or more will receive each of the above, PLUS a sitting for a portrait or a photo shoot with you/friends/family
*** All donors will be recognized on the Giving Tree at the ARTS Center.


Face masks can prevent the spread of viruses, but they can’t hold back creativity and resiliency!
If you need more inspiration to support ARTS this year ...

... just ask the group of young comic book artists designing heroes and devising strategies to defeat the evil Dr. Covid!


INVEST IN CREATIVE FUTURES TODAY!




Our Mission:
ARTS lifts young people to become confidence, compassionate, and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity.