I'm going to paste a description of the course. But essentially, students are sent out into the non profit community and help organizations with a variety of exciting art related projects. The projects can range from simply setting up activities to creating projects that help an organization with fund raising initiatives. The second part of the course is to spend time in the classroom learning about how art can serve a vital purpose in the community regardless of location or social economic situations. Each student is placed with an organization to help with that organization's artistic needs. Each week we report our experiences on a blog. At the end of the term, we present our ideas for art based projects we think would be useful in the organization. We prepare grant proposals for the project.
Overall, it's an exciting class to be a part of. Each partner (participating organizations) has so much to offer and give. They are all truly inspirational and I am happy to help promote their purposes. For my blog, I will be honest, and straight forward in my feelings or experiences. I know this will be a challenge, but I'm more focused on the benefit of helping others. I'll be honest about where I'm going good or bad. Basically, this blog will be my little diary of my experience. I named the blog The Artistic Phoenix because that's what I think of when I think of Detroit. There are thousands of truly talented artists and art lovers in the city who are unrecognized. There are people who want to use art to help uplift the spirit in Detroit, one person at a time. I hope everyone enjoys the blog, and I cant wait to see what I will learn.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Partners
We took our tour of the different partners participating in the class. We all jumped on the tour bus and one of the partners was actually with us.
THE ART EXPERIENCE Judy Wilson, Co-Founder of The Art Experience in Pontiac. Their program serves all members of the community who enjoy art or want to learn how art is therapeutic. As far as the course goes, they had some very interesting opportunities as far as : Programming, Development, Materials, and Outreach. Their website is http://www.theartexperience.org/ I thought this would be an interesting opportunity for me because the program needs volunteers to help with art programming. I have experience with writing lesson plans and planning events. And any chance to help others with a creative outlet is good for me
NSO There we met Janis. This was the most emotional stop for me because I know of people who've used NSO services. I'm very impressed and grateful for the organization and what they do for the community. Janis explained their needs for volunteers in the art program. For me, the most impressive thing was that NSO has major plans for providing even better resources for the homeless and those with emotional/developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed to help with set up/cleanup of the work spaces, assisting clients with projects, and helping the clients incorporate art into the Life Choices program. www.nso-mi.org/programs.php
MARINERS INN Kori was our guide for this organization. I think this was one of the most inspirational places I've ever visited. The org focuses on men who've had a variety of social and emotional challenges. As we walked around the building the residents were all polite and testimonies to the program. There are a variety of services for those who are homeless, former drug users, or have some developmental disabilities. Kori needs volunteers to help with getting the Mariners Inn art exhibition program promoted. And help develop activities for the clients. On a personal note, I'd love to see Mariners Inn all across this country. http://www.marinersinn.org/
HEIDELBERG PROJECT This was very interesting visit if only because we got to see Tyree Guyton's workspace. The HP is about to celebrate its' 25th anniversary. It was kind of strange standing in the offices of an internationally known artist. But the HP needs volunteers to help promote the upcoming anniversary activities. http://www.heidelberg.org/
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF MICHIGAN Our final stop on the tour. It was a special stop because we were the audience to witness a small ceremony for Matt, a former student of the class who created a mural that the hospital staff loved so much they are making it a permanent installation in the hospital. I think that was a 'full circle' moment for the class. We could see not only how art is a priority within organizations, and also the potential each student has in impacting our designated projects. The hospital needs volunteers to work with pediatric patients. Volunteers would bring art activities to the children. There is also a need to help conceive an art exhibition for patients and families to participate in creating an art work. Volunteers could also bring activities to the waiting areas for families and visitors. http://www.chidrensdmc.org/
Overall, I think we have amazing partners to chose from. I think it is a difficult decision to decide where to go. Hopefully next week I will have my answer.
THE ART EXPERIENCE Judy Wilson, Co-Founder of The Art Experience in Pontiac. Their program serves all members of the community who enjoy art or want to learn how art is therapeutic. As far as the course goes, they had some very interesting opportunities as far as : Programming, Development, Materials, and Outreach. Their website is http://www.theartexperience.org/ I thought this would be an interesting opportunity for me because the program needs volunteers to help with art programming. I have experience with writing lesson plans and planning events. And any chance to help others with a creative outlet is good for me
NSO There we met Janis. This was the most emotional stop for me because I know of people who've used NSO services. I'm very impressed and grateful for the organization and what they do for the community. Janis explained their needs for volunteers in the art program. For me, the most impressive thing was that NSO has major plans for providing even better resources for the homeless and those with emotional/developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed to help with set up/cleanup of the work spaces, assisting clients with projects, and helping the clients incorporate art into the Life Choices program. www.nso-mi.org/programs.php
MARINERS INN Kori was our guide for this organization. I think this was one of the most inspirational places I've ever visited. The org focuses on men who've had a variety of social and emotional challenges. As we walked around the building the residents were all polite and testimonies to the program. There are a variety of services for those who are homeless, former drug users, or have some developmental disabilities. Kori needs volunteers to help with getting the Mariners Inn art exhibition program promoted. And help develop activities for the clients. On a personal note, I'd love to see Mariners Inn all across this country. http://www.marinersinn.org/
HEIDELBERG PROJECT This was very interesting visit if only because we got to see Tyree Guyton's workspace. The HP is about to celebrate its' 25th anniversary. It was kind of strange standing in the offices of an internationally known artist. But the HP needs volunteers to help promote the upcoming anniversary activities. http://www.heidelberg.org/
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF MICHIGAN Our final stop on the tour. It was a special stop because we were the audience to witness a small ceremony for Matt, a former student of the class who created a mural that the hospital staff loved so much they are making it a permanent installation in the hospital. I think that was a 'full circle' moment for the class. We could see not only how art is a priority within organizations, and also the potential each student has in impacting our designated projects. The hospital needs volunteers to work with pediatric patients. Volunteers would bring art activities to the children. There is also a need to help conceive an art exhibition for patients and families to participate in creating an art work. Volunteers could also bring activities to the waiting areas for families and visitors. http://www.chidrensdmc.org/
Overall, I think we have amazing partners to chose from. I think it is a difficult decision to decide where to go. Hopefully next week I will have my answer.
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