Art Start

THE MISSION OF ARTSTART IS TO INSPIRE ARTISTIC CREATIVITY AND ILLUMINATE THE CONNECTIONS AMONG PEOPLE, IDEAS AND THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH ENGAGING ARTISTS, CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES IN QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION EXPERIENCES.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND. THE MISSION OF ARTSTART, FOUNDED IN 1988, HAS REMAINED CONSTANT OVER ITS 33-YEAR HISTORY: TO FOSTER ARTISTIC CREATIVITY AND ILLUMINATE THE CONNECTIONS AMONG PEOPLE, IDEAS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. OUR ARTISTS ENGAGE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES IN QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION EXPERIENCES THAT INVESTIGATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL THEMES AND USE RECYCLED MATERIALS. WE SAY WE DO OUR WORK AT THE INTERSECTION OF WHERE ART, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND CULTURE COME TOGETHER WHICH ENABLES US TO ADDRESS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES AS THEY RELATE TO OUR PARADIGM. ARTSTART'S 4 CORE PROGRAMS ARE: 1.) ARTSTART'S ARTSCRAPS, PROVIDING LOW-COST, RECYCLED MATERIALS TO FAMILIES, PROFESSIONAL AND YOUNG ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO FURTHER OUR MESSAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH THE ARTS; 2.) ADULT AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THAT INCLUDES COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS IN LIBRARIES AND WITH SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOL RESIDENCIES, AND SUMMER CULTURAL ARTS CAMPS TO FURTHER OUR MESSAGE OF RESPECT FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AND HONORING THE ARTS OF DIVERSE CULTURES WHILE EMPLOYING ARTISTS FROM THOSE CULTURES; 3.) ECOARTS FEST, OUR ANNUAL FESTIVAL BRINGING YOUTH AND FAMILIES FROM UNDERSERVED URBAN SCHOOLS TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE AND HONOR ARTISTIC, BIO, AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY TOGETHER DEMONSTRATING CARE FOR ALL LIVING THINGS; AND 4.) ARTSTART'S ART GALLERY, PROVIDING EMERGING AND EXPERIENCED ARTISTS WITH INCOME FROM SHOWS. HIGHLIGHTS OF 2022 ARE WE HAVE RESTORED ALL OF OUR IN-PERSON, REGULAR PROGRAMMING WHILE MAINTAINING OUR VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING IN STUDIO A AND OUR CREATIVITY KITS, "INVENTED" DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS. *ARTSTART'S ARTSCRAPS CREATIVE MATERIALS AND IDEAS STORE OPENED 3 DAYS A WEEK TO THE PUBLIC (RATHER THAN 6 DAYS A WEEK) CONTINUED TO MAKE GAINS IN REVENUE EVEN WITH 3 FEWER DAYS OF BEING OPEN *ARTSTART CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS WORKING WITH THE ENTIRE 7-COUNTY METRO LIBRARY SYSTEM, WASHINGTON CO., SCOTTCO., HENNEPIN CO., RAMSEY CO., CARVER CO., ANOKA CO., DAKOTA CO., AND THE SAINT PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY, AS WELL AS THE GREAT RIVER REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM AND THOSE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA. WORKSHOPS EMPHASIZED CULTURAL ARTS AND REUSE ART WORKSHOPS.