Free Arts Minnesota

Cause Area

  • Arts & Culture
  • Children & Youth
  • Community
  • Homeless & Housing
  • Women

Location

400 First Avenue North, Suite 518Minneapolis, MN 55401 United States

Organization Information

Mission Statement

Free Arts Minnesota works with youth in challenging circumstances to support artistic and personal development through a unique combination of mentorship and arts learning. We strengthen communities by partnering with over 20 social service agencies, community organizations, and local artists in the Twin Cities area; by engaging underserved youth with the arts and allowing creativity to drive learning; and by building positive relationships with these youth.

Description

FREE ARTS MENTORS PROVIDE:

  • Artistic opportunities for therapeutic self-expression
  • Positive affirmations and a safe community for art making
  • Are a positive role model
  • A commitment of an hour and a half per week for a full  school-year

OUR MENTORS AIM TO HELP YOUTH:

  • Create healthy relationships with adults
  • Increase their self-esteem
  • Learn new ways to communicate through artistic expression
  • Mentors lead projects for children that incorporate painting,  writing, dance, drama, music, photography, and other art media.

ONE HOUR PER WEEK CREATES A LASTING IMPRESSION

We train volunteers to be Mentors in teams of 4-6 who meet with groups of youth at one of our 23 partner agencies across the metro and surrounding suburbs. Mentors facilitate a weekly, one hour session of creative arts activities to these youth.

Mentors can select their preferred age group (3-18 years old), time of day, and location for their mentorship experience. Due to instability in the lives of the youth we serve, we strive to provide them with mentors committed to the program for one year. Training, curriculum, art supplies, and on-going support of the mentor experience is provided by Free Arts Minnesota Staff.

We are seeking committed, caring individuals with a strong interest in healing young lives through artistic expression. Interested individuals must be at least 18 years old to apply to become a mentor.

Reviews

Would you recommend Free Arts Minnesota?
7 reviews Write a review
by Veronica A. (2013-02-05 16:35:04.0)
It is a very well organized NGO. We have lots of fun planing and executing all art projects. You get a reward everytime to go and see the kids happy faces because you taught them something awsome. I love it.
by Courtney K. (2011-07-29 09:29:40.0)
Every minute spent with Free Arts Minnesota re-inspires me to be more creative, appreciative, patient, helpful and communicative in the workplace and in my personal life. It's truly amazing how art can be such a powerful and positive outlet for kids that really need it. I highly recommend getting involved; I've been a volunteer for five years and recently made a career change so I could work for them full time as a staff member :)
by Gina L. (2011-06-23 13:57:21.0)
Free Arts MN is an incredible non-profit, fostering hope, joy, and *ART* in the lives of both children and mentors throughout the Twin Cities area. I've volunteered with the organization for 3+ years, and have found it fascinating to watch the principles of art therapy in action. No experience required; simply a willingness to work with kids and create some pretty amazing art!
by Esther C. (2011-06-22 07:59:48.0)
Free Arts Minnesota is like being a part of a community home of like minded caring individuals who use art to help young lives heal. I have been blessed to work with amazing adults and children within this organization for the last five years and find that I am helping myself heal through my own issues by volunteering to help others. I would STRONGLY recommend this org to anyone, artistic or not...just as long as they have a love for children and their community!
by Leny W. (2011-06-22 07:52:21.0)
Free Arts Minnesota is a wonderful non-profit organization providing training, support, and ongoing communications to all its mentors. Free Arts fulfills a huge need in the Twin Cities Metro area providing at-risk children a way to connect with their creative selves and feel proud about their creations. A mentor's time commitment of just a couple of hours a week can make difference of a lifetime for these children.
by Rebecca J. (2011-06-21 14:00:57.0)
Volunteering with Free Arts Minnesota is what I look forward to most in my busy week. It gives me a chance to connect with the children we serve, create positive mentor to mentee relationships, and have fun while volunteering! Free Arts is not only essential to my well-being, but to the well-being of the youth in the program. These young people need time each week to spend with positive adults while engaging in the creative, healing process of art making.
by Jessica M. from MN (2011-06-21 13:18:42.0)
Free Arts MN is a great place to volunteer. Even though its arts-based, volunteers need no artistic skills, just patience and warmth and encouraging words for kids who need positive adult role-models in their lives. Free Arts MN celebrates its volunteers with volunteer learning and networking events. You leave each mentoring session knowing you've made a difference for those kids.

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