FAQ
What is Art Feeds mission?
Art Feeds is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that exists to mobilize creative healing and encourage creative development. We are a Mobile Arts Center and community of individuals dedicated to the growth and healing of children through art. Art Feeds is based out of Joplin, MO and conducts mobile programs within schools on a consistent basis with elementary students who have undergone trauma in Joplin. These programs come free of cost to the students and schools. Art programs provide 30-60 minutes of instruction weekly to the schools we serve to create a stable and growing relationship with the students through therapeutic art and creative education.
Art Feeds strives to cultivate an environment where students are empowered to express themselves, thereby mobilizing creative healing. Students are exposed to painting, drawing, dancing, music, photography, performing arts, and more. We use these forms of expression to help the students explore, express and integrate emotional expression through visual, performing and creative arts. Our programs and processes are created to facilitate healing as well as cognitive and developmental growth. Art Feeds strives to live by the lessons the children teach us, these are to- Love Naively. Give Generously. Be Foolishly Compassionate. Read more here.
How many children does Art Feeds Impact?
Art Feeds works with 2,600 children weekly in our Joplin programs. That’s a lot of crayons. Within the year 2013, Art Feeds plans to reach every child in Joplin weekly with our therapeutic art and creative education programs.
How can I help?
We always need help in a myriad of ways, and would love to have you as a part of our Art Feeds family. Buy a shirt, become a Campus Rep, apply for an internship, host an event, be an Art Feeds educator, give to our programs financially, volunteer locally or become a member of The Palette. For more info click here.
Can I get involved with Art Feeds even if I don’t live in Joplin?
Yes! We love volunteers near and far. We offer distance internships, Art Feeds Campus Rep programs are across the entire country, you can host a supply drive, volunteer on Van’s Warped tour, or simply wear an Art Feeds shirt to spread the word about our movement. For more info on how to get involved click here.
How much does the Art Feeds staff get paid?
Happy you asked! The Art Feeds staff is paid comparable rates to other not-for-profits in the 4-state area. Our Lead Educators are paid hourly wages for their time managing the Art Feeds classrooms. All Internships are unpaid at this time. Art Feeds is a labor of love, with 40+ hours put in by our main staff members and hundreds of hours given by our amazing volunteers, interns and educators. There are three main staff members and 5-10 interns at any given time. Click to read more on our staff or more about The Palette.
What does an Art Feeds lesson look like?
Each lesson uses a different form of art geared toward expression and growth. All our education teams for the schools we reach are made up of three talented educators, our curriculum is innovative to provoke creative problem solving in the classroom. Our average class size is 22, with our largest class being 60 and our smallest class being 9. Lessons range from 30-60 minutes and all supplies and educators are provided for free.
How often do you work with children?
Our programs are on a recurring basis, once we commit to a school or children’s organization we visit weekly with curriculum, supplies, educators and the best kinds of creative fun for our little ones (if we do say so ourselves). The programs last 30-60 minutes. Art Feeds also offers weekend young artists workshops and school tours in our Mobile Arts Center. Click here to read more about our programs.
Can I start Art Feeds in my town?
We are currently accepting applications for Art Feeds Chapters! This model has been hugely successful in Joplin, MO & especially needed after the disaster of the EF5 tornado that destroyed 65% of the city. We know there are other communities that can benefit from this model. If you’re interested in bringing the Art Feeds model to your community, please apply here.
Can I interview Meg?
Yes, Meg happily accepts formatted interview questions to meg@artfeeds.org.
Can the Mobile Art Center come to my town?
Yes! Send all your contact information- children’s organization (After School programs, Churches, schools and more are included) lead contact information, address, and number of children to artmobile@artfeeds.org and you will be entered into our school tour database and considered for our next school tour.
Does it really only cost $1 per child, per lesson?
Yes, on average, our cost to reach the kids is $1 per lesson. Keep in mind this is an average, as some lessons cost more than a dollar, some much less (for example: dancing and movement are free and clay for sculpting can be expensive). Click here to donate.
Is Art Feeds a 501c3?
Yes, Art Feeds is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Donations to Art Feeds are tax-deductible and Art Feeds will gladly provide any donor with our tax-exempt ID for donor’s tax purposes.
How much of the shirt sales goes to the Art Feeds programs?
The initial cost of the original Art Feeds shirt ranges from $3-5, the remaining proceeds go directly to funding our programs. Since Art Feeds inception in 2009, the original Art Feeds tee has served as a vessel of communication for our mission, when you wear the shirt, it allows you to tell the story, and fill in the blank with “What Art Feeds for you”. Want a shirt of your own? Get one here.
Where do you get your funding?
Just like most not-for-profit organizations we are funded by generous investors, sponsors, Palette members, individual donors, fundraisers, events and grants. To become a giver to our programs click here.