“Art as Action is a scrappy little nonprofit that’s punching way above its weight class.”
This is one of my all-time favorite quotes describing Art as Action (thank you John Dean). I love it so much, you have probably seen it in past fundraising campaigns and on our website. I never get tired of it.
We have been talking a lot about transparency vs. branding at Artivist Headquarters. We want to find the balance between presenting our dynamic and inspiring community through an intentional, shiny lens, and being real about what it takes to keep our scrappy non-profit thriving.
The reason we continue to persist, evolve and grow after 16 years is the incredible passion, dedication and HEART of our team. Our board of directors and programs committee volunteer their time to brainstorm, make decisions and put in the work it takes to keep us moving forward. Members of our Reconnect Performing Company have been our biggest fundraisers during this year’s campaign. Partners, friends and family members of our performers, participants and board always show up to lend a hand and take on thankless jobs like setting up chairs and handing out programs in addition to donating. The love and devotion of this small tribe of humans is what makes us MIGHTY.
When Art as Action started in 2002, it was something I did in my spare time in the midst of finishing my senior year of college and working. My fellow Artivists were my best friends – making shows was what we did for fun. As it evolved from a passion project into my dream job/life’s work, I was always looking for ways to devote more time to “making shows,” while also working “real jobs” that paid the rent.
Every year our operating budget grows and I am able to work less for other people and devote more time to my true love: Art as Action. Currently, I work 15 hours a week for another non-profit. The creation and expansion of Reconnect; the annual Artivist Process/Performance; and the day to day operations of running a business – bookkeeping, creating these emails, updating our Facebook page, editing video, returning emails and on and on – are done during the other 25 working hours (sometimes more) of the week, with enormous (volunteer) support from our incredible team.
During the final days of our annual fundraising campaign, I want to be real about exactly what we are asking for when we ask for your financial support. Your donation makes our programs possible in large part because it pays for the human-power it takes to make it all happen. With your generous support, our scrappy little non-profit can continue to grow and thrive.
At the end of Reconnect class, I thank each dancer for bringing their singular energy into the space. I invite them to look around the room and see how, when combined, those energies become greater than the sum of our parts. Money is a form of energy. By contributing any amount of your hard earned energy to our fundraiser, you become a part of something bigger.
Art as Action transforms communities at the intersection of (dis)ability, performing arts and creative potential. Join us at the intersection. Donate.
yours in Art and Action, with deep gratitude,
donate now