Art Buddies

“Expenses marketing 18,156 office exp. 2,960 parking/mileage 2,703 art supplies 361 dues/subs/membership 100 miscellaneous program exp 1,008 fundraising 2,484 total 27,772”

“Office equipment and furniture 4,144 4,144 less accumulated depreciation 4,144 4,144 total 0 0”

“Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,048 633”

“The mission of art buddies is to use the power of one-on-one creative mentoring to help children from low-income families develop exciting new visions of themselves, discover their abilities, boost their self-esteem and increase their motivation to learn. The children are paired, one-on-one with creative mentors during our after-school programs. Art buddies annually pairs 200 creative mentors, including many creative professionals like art directors, graphic designers, illustrators, architects, photographers and writers, one-on-one with 200 inner-city kids (ages 8-11). Each program features weekly workshops that run 7 to 10 weeks. Our "kids rule" theme helps kids explore their strengths and interests, and what they want to be when they grow up. Then they create an imaginative and exciting costume that reflects their unique vision of themselves. Mentors also help the kids develop writing, project planning and storytelling skills by creating a special journal of their art buddies experience called a buddy book. At the end of each program, the kids become "stars" posing with their creations and mentors for portraits by professional photographers. The children celebrate their accomplishments with a parade and presentation for schoolmates, teachers, family and friends. The art buddies program is unique and is the only one in the minneapolis/st paul area that pairs creative mentors from a variety of creative fields one-on-one with low-income elementary-age children. The creative mentors expose the kids to exciting creative careers while helping them discover what they can do and who they can become through the power of creativity. Art buddies was founded in 1994 by former art director/designer sue crolick. Since its beginning, it has recruited more than 2,000 creative mentors and mentored more than 2,000 kids.”

“In fiscal year 2015-2016, we served 200 children, ages 8-11, from low- income families in minneapolis and st. Paul. Most of the kids were eligible for free or reduced-cost school meals and 95% were children of color. We recruited 200 creative mentors to work one-on-one with the children. We produced six after-school art buddies programs, three in the fall and three in the spring, at our three partner schools: whittier international elementary and bancroft elementary in south minneapolis, and riverview west side school of excellence in st. Paul. Our mentors helped the children do the following: 1. Form a positive relationship with a creative adult 2. Discover their creative potential 3. Boost their self-esteem by creating something ambitious and unique 4. Increase their motivation to learn by giving them an exciting reason to come to school and explore 5. Learn the creative process of conceiving, planning and producing 6. Explore creative career possibilities the childrens' teachers and principals continually confirm the positive impact of the art buddies program. The teachers observed student improvement in problem-solving ability, behavior, attitude, motivation to learn, school attendance and social skills. They report the mastery students develop in art buddies, as well as the positive relationships they form with creative adults that enhance their students' self-esteem.”

“In the fiscal year of 2015-2016, art buddies contracted with ascension development group on a one year case study project that provided discounted services for search engine optimization (seo) of our new website, and strategies to enhance the presence of art buddies online to reach prospective volunteers and supporters. Since the start of the project, we have achieved a significant increase in our online following and more strategic social media efforts for volunteer recruiting. The one-time project fee of 16,641 was approved by the board of directors and funded in part by funds allocated from our designated opportunity reserve. This was our first time to utilize opportunity reserve funds which were approved and allocated for unexpected and unbudgeted strategic opportunities.”