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FREE ARTS ENEWSLETTER January 2012

Recap of the Year

Thank You

Happy New Year! We hope 2012 has been enjoyable thus far and your resolutions are still on track. Thanks to you and our many supporters, 2011 was a great year for Free Arts. We’d like to take some time to share and celebrate some of our accomplishments:

  • After setting the goal to double the number of children we serve, we are on track to reach 4,000 children in our 2011-2012 program year, thanks to our “Twice the Healing” initiative.
  • We have added 15 new partner agencies.
  • We recruited more than 100 new volunteers. We now have over 250 volunteers active in 48 weekly mentor groups across the Twin Cities.
  • Weekly mentor groups engage more than 500 young people each week in working side-by-side with mentors on creative projects that build self-esteem.
  • As a result of our commitment to quality program practices, our program was awarded the rank of "Expert" program in 2011 by Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota (MPM) -- an organization formed in 1994 as a community initiative to promote quality mentoring for Minnesota youth.  
  • We reached our fundraising goal for the year. 34% of that goal was from individual donors.
  • Our program evaluations showed that 100% of partner facility staff agree that as a result of Free Arts, youth in their facility “have positive role models.” 100% said the youth had a positive and impactful experience. 80% said the youth have increased self-esteem as  a result of the Free Arts programs.

With your continued support to Free Arts and our dedication to bringing artistic experiences to underserved youth in the Twin Cities, we’re really looking forward to what 2012 will bring! Thank you again for being a part of the impact art can have on children in need.

Mentor

Upcoming Events

Support Free Arts Minnesota at the Powderhorn Art Sled Rally - Saturday, January 28th.

Do yoga, do good with the Gorilla Yogis - Saturday, February 4th

Free Arts Minnesota at the HandsOn Twin Cities Volunteer Expo - Saturday February 18th

Full details on events here >>

Mentoring Month

Mentorship

January is National Mentoring Month! Throughout the month we’ll be promoting ways to celebrate mentorship.  If you are a mentor, please take some time to share your experiences online, with friends, with your family, at the office or with your classmates! If you are not a mentor but would like to be, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Rebecca to learn more about how you can bring art into the lives of at-risk and underserved youth. Or if you HAVE a mentor, Thursday, January 26, 2012, is Thank Your Mentor Day™.  Take a moment to thank him or her and let them know what a difference they’ve made in your life.

A Grant From the MN State Arts Board

Twins Art

We are very excited to announce that we received a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board for their Arts Learning program. We will be partnering with renowned photographer Wing Young Huie and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to create an inspiring arts education project that is influenced by the Museum’s exhibit: “The Sports Show: Minnesota.”  This photography exhibit will feature Minnesota in sports from the late 19th century to the present day. The project will begin with a visit to the MIA for a guide-led tour of the exhibit. After viewing the exhibit, students will discuss the three works of art featured in the classroom curriculum. Wing Young Huie will work directly with 75 middle and high school students.  An additional 75 will be served through participation in field trips, exhibitions, and the curriculum that is tied to the MIA’s exhibit. The project will conclude with an exhibit of all the students in the program at the MIA at the end of summer that will include a public reception that you will all be invited to attend. We’ll announce a date later this Spring!

Fresh Faces Event

Tangerine House of Design

Interested in starting 2012 off with some wonderful personalized family or individual portraits and the opportunity to support Free Arts Minnesota in the process? Starting in February, Tangerine House of Design will be offering FREE portraits and will just ask that you bring a donation of your choosing for Free Arts Minnesota! With every portrait taken, you will also have the opportunity to apply for Minnesota’s Fresh Faces Portrait Contest held by Minnesota Professional Photographers Association! Portraits with the best chance of winning will be those with a theme, so get creative! To learn more about the event, visit Tangerine House of Design or call: (952) 303-3619) to make an appointment.