From the Executive Director |
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Dear Friends:
As 2020 comes to a close, I can not thank you enough for your kind support of Art with a Heart. It is hard to believe that as we commenced our 20th year of programming, Art with a Heart was only “full throttle” for 10 weeks -- 10 weeks!! And by “full throttle” I mean large scale programs taking place in person in 65 partnering sites, volunteers in the Art with a Heart space five days a week, workforce students filling the office on a daily basis with energy and creativity and Art of Leadership students convening as a community to learn and grow together.
The value and importance of developing one’s creative muscle and the ability to use that creativity has never been more apparent. Within a matter of weeks, the Art with a Heart’s team was stretching its own creative muscle....every small step led to big leaps. I am humbled, grateful and proud of what the Art with a Heart team has been able to accomplish over the last year. The impact of their efforts are shared below, but know that in that last year, Art with a Heart was able to conduct 6,559 visual art classes and provide 134,255 unique art experiences. The organization engaged 1,287 volunteers in over 6,000 hours of service and provided 140 virtual workforce development classes with a 93% attendance rate. The organization also completed and installed 17 public art projects and graduated another 21 Art of Leadership students for an alumni network of 92 inspiring youth. And there is more…a new website was launched and volunteers began enthusiastically working on the Heart of Baltimore project.
The Art with a Heart team could not do this work without you and the devoted Board, Advisory Board, teachers, assistants, interns and volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to the organization. Now, more than ever, we are counting on your support to help sustain the organization’s efforts for the children and adults who benefit from, and cherish, Art with a Heart programs. Please show your support today.
Art with a Heart wishes you a safe and healthy new year filled with creative experiences that free your "mind and soul." Thanks for the inspiration, Joseph (quoted above)!
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A Look Back at Programming |
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As Megan Fortman, Art with a Heart’s Program Director said, "This year has been our test AND our testimony!! For those dedicated to the work as we are, the test is to never stop seeking out creative solutions to make a difference in ways big and small. And the testimony is to all the work, all the students, teachers, and staff who came before us in Art with a Heart's 20 year history and all the new faces that will be part of our future."
In the last year, the Art with a Heart programming team engaged 368 students in 18 classes each day. Almost all of the Art with a Heart classes were supplemented by HeART Boxes created and delivered to students with the help and support of interns and volunteers. These HeART Boxes were a treasure of art supplies for students of all ages. The preparation included:
- 18,000 paint cups
- 10,500 pipe cleaners
- 30,000 sheets of construction paper
- 7.000 sheets of watercolor paper
- 180 gallons of paint
- 15 gallons of glue
In all, 7,622 HeART Boxes were created for 34 programming partners. Art with a Heart is grateful to the 31 interns from six different colleges and universities who helped with this massive undertaking. These interns provided 4,123 invaluable hours of service both in-office and remotely; the equivalent of two full-time staff members for the year! The organization is also grateful to the 40 Art with a Heart teachers and assistants who have adjusted and excelled in the virtual programming realm.
As we enter 2021, Art with a Heart remains committed to providing quality visual art programs to children and adults in under-resourced communities and to continuing its efforts to build upon its innovative curriculum with more culturally responsive themes and lessons.
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A Look Back at Community Service and Public Art |
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For years, Art with a Heart has enjoyed a growing and consistent community of dedicated volunteers. In addition to a multitude of corporate service groups, Art with a Heart has enjoyed engaging with the same 40 volunteers each week. Many of these volunteers are older adults who did not want Covid to force them to be alone and idle. To meet the needs of this committed group, the community service team initiated weekly Zoom check-ins, an ongoing recipe swap and curbside pick-up of materials to keep the public art projects moving forward. Additionally, to satisfy the desire for service opportunities from the broader community, Art with a Heart hosted innovative service nights and a Community Art Camp with participants in masks, outdoors and socially distanced.
Despite the limitations created by the pandemic, in 2020, Art with a Heart engaged 1,287 volunteers in over 6,300 hours of service, many helping from the comfort and safety of their own homes. This generosity of time and spirit helped Art with a Heart complete 17 public art installations and launch the Heart of Baltimore project. When completed, the Heart of Baltimore will be a 1000 pound, three-dimensional sculpture covered in mosaic glass, mirror and ceramics that will stand eight feet high by six feet wide. The Heart of Baltimore sculpture will be installed in the heart of the city on Pratt Street between Charles and Hanover Streets. To date, over 600 individuals of all ages have contributed to the project, including the creation of over 1,000 ceramic hearts.
It is our hope that in 2021, Art with a Heart will welcome back all of our wonderful volunteers and dedicated service groups. We look forward to seeing you and creating with you in the new year!
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A Look Back at the Art of Leadership
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In March 2020, the Art of Leadership program had to shift its 5th Cohort from a completely in person experience to virtual programming. The leaders adjusted well and valued their monthly sessions albeit through Zoom. In June, the students were able to reconvene outdoors, in small groups, to complete their Capstone Public Art Project -- a staircase mural with mosaic accents for the entrance to The William S. Baer School.
In September, the Art of Leadership team celebrated the graduation of the 5th Cohort in a Zoom ceremony attended by over 55 students and guests. These graduates are now part of an Art of Leadership alumni network of 92 students. An Alumni Council was launched this past fall with five student leaders co-chairing the effort.
Also, in the fall of 2020, the 6th Cohort of Art of Leadership's students began their year long learning journey with a hybrid programming model (virtual and in-person). Through monthly sessions and weekly service opportunities, the group is getting to know one another's personal stories and is developing knowledge about race, class history and intersectionality. By learning the history and appreciating diverse personal narratives, the leaders are working to challenge structural inequities and forge a united path forward.
The application for the 7th Cohort of the Art of Leadership Program is now open. Current 9th and 10th grade students with an interest in developing leadership and advocacy skills, exploring social justice issues, and creating a community with a diverse group of peers are eligible to apply. The application deadline is March 19, 2021. Click here for the application!
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A Look Back at HeARTworks/HeARTwares |
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HeARTworks, Art with a Heart's workforce development program, continues to be a great asset to its participants and to Baltimore community with 104 students completing the program in 2020 and an 80% job placement rate for out-of-school time youth. Recent graduates are currently employed with Seedco, Admiral Security, Horseshoe Casino, Amazon and others are enrolled in training programs with Catholic Charities and Maryland New Directions.
While Art with a Heart had implemented a digital arts curriculum in 2018, the team further developed and expanded this effort over the last year. In 2020, workforce students were introduced to skills in graphic design, game development, digital fabrication (3D printing), electronics, and web development. The HeARTworks team selected the design work of an 18 year old student in Art with a Heart's YouthWorks program to embellish journals and t-shirts. Those products along with other student made items were promoted on Art with a Heart's online marketplace. Over the last year, over 900 items were sold including 270 HeART Kits which were specifically developed in response to the pandemic. Thank you to those who continue to shop at HeARTwares for art, housewares and meaningful handmade gifts. To visit the online store go to: shop.artwithaheart.net
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3000 Falls Road | Mill No. 1 | Baltimore, MD 21211
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