" It makes me feel so good to watch the children working on their art project, asking questions, learning new things, making new friends. Sometimes I am really overwhelmed by the fun and joy for everyone at these sessions. It seems like such a simple plan but the results can be incredible for both the volunteers and the children."
~ Shirle McNeal, Free Arts Minnesota Volunteer

VOLUNTEER RETENTION AT 90%

Partnerships

Rock the Cradle is an event for children (ages 2 - 8) and their adults to engage together to experience music, movement, art and live performances. We are thrilled to announce that Free Arts Minnesota has been invited to participate in the fun, this year! Rock the Cradle will take place this Sunday, January 25th at The Children's Theatre Company and Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) campus.

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Yelp

Free Arts Minnesota has formed a new partnership with Yelp.com. Members of Yelp have generously offered to hold an art supply drive on behalf of Free Arts Minnesota. Visit www.yelp.com for more information and to post a review (or "Yelp!") about your favorite charity - Free Arts Minnesota!

Free First Saturday

The Walker Art Center is holding a Community Art Fair at their Free First Saturday, on February 7th. Free Arts Minnesota will be one of many local art organizations with an information table at the event. Stop by to visit with our Free Arts Minnesota volunteers, and pick up a fun art-making activity!
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SPECIAL THANKS

Free Arts Minnesota would like to extend a special "thank you" to Heidi Holtz and the Edina Starbucks. The Edina Starbucks partnered with Countryside Elementary school 5th graders to collect art supplies for Free Arts Minnesota. After the 5th graders had filled their donation box, they were treated to a Starbuck’s hot chocolate party!

In addtion, we would like to thank Lesly Bornmann for donating a desktop copier/printer at the art supply drive. These donations will be a huge help to Free Arts Minnesota in the 2009 program year!

Heidi shows some holiday spirit as she packs up the donated art supplies!

THANK YOU

Jennifer Edel, Rebecca Ayaz, Judith Young, Kristin Johnson for each donating art supplies that helped stock our new facility! Minneapolis Convention Center for donating a gift card. Jennifer Aday and the team of Target Financial volunteers that assembled and donated furniture to the Free Arts Minneosta office!

Thank you to these creative individuals! All of these items are helping to create wonderful projects that change children's lives! Thank you!

ART ROCKS! Art has the ability to heal wounds of abuse. Want to learn how art heals? Attend Art Rocks! to learn more about this and other questions. Upcoming sessions are February 3rd, 4:45 - 5:30 pm and February 19th, from 8:00 - 8:45 am. Read More »

Session II of the Weekly Mentorship Program started on January 5th. The 32week program is split into two sessions and Free Arts Minnesota typically recruits and trains additional volunteers to fill the spots that are not filled by returning volunteers. This year 90% of volunteers returned for the second session. This is an increase from 20% in the 2007-2008 program year. Thank you for your dedication weekly mentors!

Free Arts Minnesota is also proud to announce that the weekly mentorship porgram has expanded to Northside Child Development Center. Mentors began serving the pre-school, elementary and teens programs each week. Services to Northside continue our partnership with Catholic Charities and St. Joseph's Home for Children, where mentors have visited every week for over 11 years! Welcome!