Art Buddies founder to speak at Etsy

We're excited to announce that Art Buddies founder, Sue Crolick, will be speaking at Etsy headquarters in New York on Friday, April 17. Founded on the desire to empower individuals, connect communities, spark imagination, and promote the value of creativity, Etsy provides the perfect forum for Sue to share her inspiring story.

Sue began her advertising career in the Mad Men era, and became the first female art director at two of Minneapolis’ largest ad agencies, winning top awards in her field. 

In 1994, she founded Creatives for Causes, ending her 30-year career in advertising to start Art Buddies. Since then, Art Buddies has paired thousands of creative mentors one-on-one with thousands of underprivileged kids.

For her work with children, she was honored as a Purpose Prize Fellow and national leader in social innovation.

For more on the history of Art Buddies and founder, Sue Crolick, visit http://www.artbuddies.org/history/ and http://www.artbuddies.org/awards-pr/.

For more about Etsy, visit https://www.etsy.com/about/. For an inside look at Etsy headquarters, visit http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/08/etsy-office-tour.html.

Art Buddies Lauren & Mikky (fall 2014)

Mr. Grit by artist Conrad Carlson at Etsy

Art Buddy Spotlight: Doug Knutson, Photographer

Doug Knutson is the owner of Knutson Photography, LLC, and he has generously donated his time and talents as an Art Buddies photographer since we opened our creative doors 20 years ago.

Every season, Doug is there to capture memories of children building dreams during Art Buddies creating sessions, and takes special care during our mentor and mentee photo shoots on the last day of each program. He attends all of our volunteer networking and fundraising events, contributing to the energy and excitement as an active attendee and event photographer.

You'll see many of Doug's photos on our website, Facebook page, and Buddy Blog. It is truly the creative spirit of people like Doug who have helped Art Buddies last and make such a meaningful difference in the lives of kids and mentors for 20 years. (Thanks Doug!)

How would you describe Art Buddies to someone who has never heard of the program?

Art Buddies is a one-on-one creative mentoring program.

What has been your most memorable experience as an Art Buddies volunteer?

A student asked to take my picture. A short time later a magazine I photographed an assignment for asked for a portrait of me for their contributor’s page, so I cropped the photo he took and submitted it to the magazine. He got credit in the magazine and I made sure he received a copy of the magazine. He was an Art Buddy the next session and took more pictures with my camera of the other participants.

Why did you decide to become active with Art Buddies?

As a way to give back to the community.

What advice would you give to rookie Art Buddies?

Just jump in and be yourself!

Have you gained new friendships or expanded your network with adult Art Buddies during the program?

I have gained many new friendships and clients. I recently worked with Art Buddies volunteer and Advisory Board member Gerry Yumul on a project for the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.

 

Art Buddies accepts mentor applications every fall and spring. Learn how you can volunteer

with Art Buddies at http://www.artbuddies.org/volunteer/.

Art Buddies kicks off 2015 with advances toward expansion!

Scott Mikesh, President/Executive Director

As we gear up to start recruiting mentors for spring Art Buddies in Minneapolis, we're excited to report great strides toward expanding Art Buddies to St. Paul this year. Prospective schools are now being vetted to identify the most suitable St. Paul program partner for our fall 2015 season, to be announced this spring.

Special thanks to Program Director, Stephanie Vagle, and members of our Advisory Board for researching and working with those in the St. Paul school district who helped us identify potential program partners.

While there is no shortage of children who could benefit from Art Buddies, our charitable mission is to provide an empowering arts learning and creative enrichment experience for kids who might not otherwise have the means or access to art programs.

Art Buddies activities also require sufficient space to host our large creating sessions that involve up to 80 people (up to 40 children working one-on-one with up to 40 creative adults). Long-term storage for our large collection of art supplies and creative works is also required.

Fortunately, we have identified schools that could be a great fit, and are equally excited to offer Art Buddies after school for their 3rd-5th grade students next fall!

We are truly grateful for the hundreds of individuals, businesses and organizations that support Art Buddies each year, especially the many wonderful creative volunteers who provide the magic of mentoring by sharing their time and talents with kids who need them.

Here's to another great year of empowering more underprivileged children to discover their creative potential!

Please join our mailing list to receive the latest Art Buddies updates and volunteer opportunities: http://www.artbuddies.org/join-our-email-list.