Creativity and Community for the Win!

Hello again-
​
I’m an eternal optimist. Even when the world crumbles at my feet, I always find a way to see the bright side. As new information emerges each day about the current outbreak, and our efforts to flatten the curve, I am truly awed by the ways that creativity and community are showing themselves during this difficult time. 

At heARTS, we see art-making as a tangible way to practice creativity - a skill and function we ALL need. That creativity is showing itself in countless ways right now, as we learn how to share resources differently, respond healthfully to community needs, and reorient to this new reality. Your creativity - our creativity - is showing through in a myriad of ways. Let’s see it and celebrate it!

We’ve always been a community space - a place to meet neighbors and gather with friends and family. To make art, together. Having been through trying times in my life, I know how valuable community is and have worked over the past seven years to cultivate a feeling of belonging and mutual support in our space. As we all watch the world from afar - at whatever physical distance our lives will allow - please take some time to awe at the power of community. We are holding each other in care, attuned to our impact and connected to our power in ways that are truly inspiring. Our interdependence is showing through - almost like it’s our truest nature. Let’s celebrate that too!

As we consider our next steps, I want to let you know some ways you can support the studio during this period of uncertainty:

1. Purchase an Open Studio pass: Passes work like a gift certificate - but with a discount! You can purchase for yourself or someone else through our website. Best of all, they don't expire!
2. Register for a class: We will be making decisions about our remaining spring classes with guidance from public health officials; however, we are still taking registrations with hopes that any adjustments will be postponements rather than cancelations. Spring classes are open to ages 12+. 

>> We will be announcing our summer camp schedule next Monday, via our newsletter.

1. Make a donation or start a Facebook Fundraiser: We predict losses in revenue and increased expenses over the coming months and monetary donations will be critical to shoring up our infrastructure for the long haul. In the past, we have relied extensively on in-kind contributions of supplies and equipment, however, given the nature of this virus we will need to halt all second hand materials for the foreseeable future - which means new expenses. We also expect a decrease in participation over the coming months that will impact the revenue we need for general operations. 
2. Purchase a coloring book: Our coloring book is like a field trip around the Twin Cities - drawn by youth and colored from the comfort of your own home. We partner with MissionMade.com to manage our online sales, which can be shipped around the country!
3. In addition to the needs above, we’ll be looking for volunteer substitutes in the coming months, once there is a better understanding of the virus and its impact on the community at-large. More to come on this!

As much as we wish we could be serving our neighbors directly, we will still be supporting access to creative practices in the following ways:

1. We are partnering with our neighborhood association to share supplies (paper, crayons, colored pencils, stickers etc) with families in need. We will deliver 30 creative care packages to households next week. Supplies will be delivered to doorsteps to maintain our physical distancing. 
2. There have been an abundance of online resources floating throughout the interwebs to access virtual plays, museums, and art projects (think nature made art supplies!) We are gathering those resources and will be sharing them via social media in the coming days and weeks.
3. If a longer closure is required, we will explore remote art-making meet-ups.

In addition to these email updates, we’ve added a page to our website with the most current information about the studio’s status and needs. We appreciate your continued support and send healthy vibes to all! 

With eternal optimism-
Lindsay