April 2020
Issue III
Fiscally Sponsored Programs
Perseverance & Positivity
Budding Artists was founded in 2018 with a vision to serve the Los Angeles County community by providing under-resourced, preschool children with transformative, process-focused art experiences. Their programming includes a 6-week Summer Exploration Program, Adult Process-Based Art Workshop, Adopt-A-Book Literacy Program, and a Gift of Play project. 

COVID-19 has presented unexpected challenges for individuals and organizations. Budding Artists was forced to cancel fundraising events, such as Origami and Tea, and had no choice but to pause their new Membership Program campaign.
Although these canceled opportunities were devastating to their program, they maintained their perseverance and positivity . They came up with a creative and excellent idea for supporting their community during this pandemic. Budding Artists decided to "bring creativity home" by offering Processed-Based Art Kits for children to enjoy while safe in their own homes. Funds were reallocated from the 2020 Summer Exploration Program to support this new project.

"Process-based art is focused on the making, doing and learning, rather than on the final product. Through this STEAM exploration children grow their linguistic, social/emotional, cognitive, and physical development skills." Their kit includes over 5 different activities such as watercolor, clay, and kinetic art pieces. What's really great, especially for all those parents putting on their teacher hats during this time, is that the kit comes with a detailed, step-by-step instruction guide. It is available in both English and Spanish supporting the emerging bilingual community. They even took it one step further and provided a link with awesome online resources such as tutorial videos.

To distribute these amazing kits, they partnered with the City of Lynwood Parks and Community Services department. On Tuesday, April 14 th they gave out over 70 kits during their "Grab and Go" youth meals program.
Check out B udding Artist's Latest Video!
Child holding an art kit package.
Budding Artists
Appreciates their Donors!
"Our board and education team created the entire project through collaboration, working remotely, sanitizing everything, and drinking lots of coffee!"

In response to their diligent efforts, Budding Artists was awarded an Impact Grant for $2,500 from the Pollination Project and an $1,100 Community Grant from the Walmart Foundation.

"Most of our organization funding is received through small donations from individual donors, which we are especially thankful for."
Here are some of their tips:
Think Outside the Box
Showing Appreciation and Concern

Spend this time thanking your dedicated donors. It is important to let them know that they are valued and appreciated. This is also a great opportunity to reach out to your community just to say "thank you" and check-in on their well-being.
hands_together_sand.jpg
Collaboration
and
Community

Partner and collaborate with other organizations and local businesses in your community.
You are stronger through collaboration and teamwork. We wouldn't have been able to accomplish this project without working and collaborating with the City of Lynwood Department of Parks and Community Services to help both spread the word in the community, and distribute the kits safely. This organization has been instrumental to our work!
Connect with your community to understand where the need is, and see if it aligns with your mission. With so many children unable to go to school due to statewide closures, there was a strong need in our community to have more creative opportunities at home. We noticed that many art organizations are providing wonderful video tutorials, but if children don't have the necessary art materials such as watercolor paper, paintbrushes, canvases, tripods, cameras, etc., the tutorial videos are not beneficial. It only highlights economic disparities in under-resourced communities that are already impacted at a greater level due to the trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities of color are vibrant, passionate, and creative - it is our joy and vision to continue to cultivate that within the next generation!  
Practice Self-Care. Everyone is experiencing trauma of different variations due to COVID-19 so be sure to focus on practicing self-care and encouraging your team to do so as well. "Learn Tai-Chi, dance in your living room, practice meditation, or have group tea time. We are all in this together. We will get through this together."

Thoughts and quotes in this newsletter were given by the team at Budding Artists  
The Virtual Collaboration of a Great Team!
Let's Keep Going!