Give to the Max 2021

Hello Buddy,

Art Buddies is always there for our kids at our highest need schools.
You can be there too. Please join me in supporting our kids.
In these unprecedented times our Art Buddies need your support now, more than ever. 

Art Buddies is continuing to reach scholars at our highest need schools with free creative mentor programming, and it is only possible with your donation.

This year we are providing free one-to-one programming for over 500 Twin Cities children.

We are focused on safety with mandatory masks and vaccine requirements, and smaller class size for social distancing.
Art Buddies is more joyful and meaningful than ever!

Art Buddies Character Creation. For 28 years this program has served thousands of Twin Cities children. We are offering our traditional Character Creation classes for our elementary buddies, and it is so meaningful to be able to be together. 

Art Buddies Creates. We also offer the new Art Buddies Creates Pilot, at Andersen Middle School in the Phillips Neighborhood, for middle school kids. This exciting new program provides a more in depth look into creative careers. Our Middle Buddy pairs are learning so much and having a blast! 

Art Buddies Penpal Program. Formed out of the need for creative programing during 2020, this program sends 10 weeks of letters and crafts to and from our penpal buddy pairs. We are reaching hundreds of scholars with our new Art Buddies Penpal Program, which includes 10 weeks of letters and crafts to and from our penpal buddy pairs. This program makes our children feel special and important. Their ideas and feelings matter! It has proven to be an incredible success in these trying times.

Art Buddies Outreach. We are committed to being a part of the communities we serve. We've donated over a thousand of activity kits to PICA HeadStart. We attend neighborhood events such as Halloween at Midtown Global Market and farmers markets across the city.

Each of our programs is provided completely free of charge to our partner schools and scholars. We vet the schools to be at least 80% Free and Reduced Lunch as our standard, but most of our school partners are over 90% families experiencing poverty. 

Be sure to check out the photos below of our most recent programs!

Join me in sponsoring creativity and connection to our Twin Cities kids!

$5000 Activity Book and Kit supplies for HeadStart Outreach

$2000 Stamps for a semester of Art Buddies Penpals

$1000 Sponsors 5 Middles for a semester of Art Buddies Creates

$500   Art supplies for Elementary Character Creation Program

$100   Creative supplies for an Art Buddies Outreach Program 

$50     Big poster board for Elementary and Middles Programs

$20     Origami Paper for Art Buddies Penpals 

Please join me in giving generously to our little buddies today! 

with gratitude, 
Heidi Rich 
Executive Director

Art Buddies at Chroma Zone - July 24th

Art Buddies is excited to be hosting a table at the Chroma Zone’s Mid Summer Happening event on May 24th. We will offer kid-friendly take away craft activities and information on how to sign up to volunteer.

Art Buddies & Pianos on Parade

Art Buddies is excited to partner with the Minneapolis Downtown Council to participate in their Pianos on Parade program for the summer of 2021. 

“The Mpls downtown council invites you to help advance art & music downtown with Pianos on Parade. The program will place 24 pianos throughout downtown Minneapolis during the months of June, July, and August. Each piano will be painted to evoke “A Vibrant Downtown” theme. By supporting Pianos on Parade, you will help add more vibrancy to downtown Minneapolis and engage all who work, live, and play here.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to get creative during this hands-on painting activity.

Using the colors from our recent lawn signs created with All Are Welcome Here, the piano has rainbow stripes with red hearts. Inside the red hearts are hand-painted words. These words share the values and mission of Art Buddies. 

Stay tuned for information on where you can visit the piano this summer in downtown Minneapolis.

Welcome to our new Art Buddies Board Members!

Join us in giving a big welcome to our newest members of the Art Buddies Executive Board of Directors.

Jesse Norman Bergstrom - An entrepreneur, illustrator, and author. Jesse is a long-time and devoted mentor at our Whittier Program. He is highly engaged in everything he does. We are so lucky that he has chosen Art Buddies
to donate his time and talent.

Laura Norton - Laura has been an Art Buddy nearly since its inception... as a mentor and a supporter! She has worked at Carmichael Lynch for years and she has been a great cheerleader and support to all of our programs and endeavors. Laura is very artistic and musical and deeply understands the need of connection and creative expression.

Suyao Tian - An artist, illustrator, and independent curator with a deep connection to education and children. You can see her amazing watercolor art on her Instagram. Suyao also has fresh and insightful ideas around programming and fundraising.

A mighty Art Buddies thank you to our Executive Board Of Directors:

Leslie Yunis
Art Buddies Board Chair, KNOCK, inc Special Projects

Jean Hurlbert
Art Buddies Board Treasurer, Capital Management Associates Inc. Relations/Team Manager

Karisa Buechner Michel
Art Buddies Board Secretary, Prime Therapeutics Director of Client Engagement

Alla Ilushka
Ferrari Twin Cities Special Events Director

Amy Pressnall
MOBE Director of Creative Services

Amy Jarrard
Freelance Art Director and Copywriter

Cheryl Meyer
Treat and Co. VP and Creative Director

Elliott Payne
Founder President Sense Datum, LLC, Candidate for Ward 1 Minneapolis City Council

Heidi Rich, Art Buddies Executive Director, and President

Jesse Norman Bergstrom
Author, Illustrator, Creator of Worlds, Prairie Fox Design LLC

Kailey Mo Becker
President, Founder, Designer of Oya Beauty and Pinky Design Shop

Laura Norton
Carmichael Lynch Director of Office Services

Reginaldo Reyes
VP Brand Experience and Environmental Design

Suyao Tian
Artist, Designer, Independent Curator

We are so grateful to these volunteers for guiding the trajectory and the mission of our organization.

If you would like to serve on an Art Buddies Board please contact
Heidi Rich at heidi@artbuddies.org