Now more than ever, we’re so grateful for the community that has funded, volunteered, celebrated, and advocated for Free Arts for Abused Children through the years. At a time when everything feels uncertain, we find comfort and encouragement knowing that you care about our cause. While much of the world has stopped, our mission to...
Last November, over 95 volunteers remotely assembled 5,000 Bravery Boxes for children in foster care. The Bravery Box project is a new initiative conceived during the pandemic in an effort to extend the impact of intentional art making to even more children. Starting in February, every child entering foster care throughout Arizona will receive a Bravery...
We have welcomed some new folks to our team over the past few months that we are excited to introduce. Tenneille Choi – Development Officer Tenneille Choi (she/her) is a fundraiser, nonprofit professional, and arts advocate. She began her fundraising career at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and after five years, moved to Childsplay Theatre...
Free Arts is going statewide! In our largest initiative to date, we plan to provide 5,000 Bravery Boxes to children in foster care throughout the state of Arizona. That means when a child enters foster care, they will receive their very own Bravery Box of art supplies and intentional art activities that are designed to...
Free Arts was set to hold our annual “Art From the Heart Art Auction” in the spring of 2020 but had to postpone due to COVID-19. A virtual version of the art auction is being planned for October 21-26, 2020. The six-day event will take place fully online and feature the work of approximately 80...
Artwork: Untitled by Rubi, age 13 Dear Free Arts Family, Regardless of the results, this election could potentially prove to be one of the most volatile times in recent history. Made visible by social media and network media, we will be barraged with election results coverage. News of possible protests, violence, and divisiveness will penetrate our...
In late September 2020, Free Arts embarked on an ambitious project to simultaneously create five art murals in the Valley at various locations, with five different teaching artists, and five alumni apprentices. The purpose of the project was to highlight the creativity and resilience of communities during an especially difficult time in history. To make...
Rica had been a Free Arts participant and alumni for two years. She is a gifted writer and will be attending college at Arizona State University this fall to pursue a degree in creative writing. She is a 2020 Nina Mason Pullium Legacy Scholar. Where Did the Time Go?? This poem was created at the...
In 2013, Free Arts started an Alumni program which has grown to include over 25 active alumni. In the Alumni program teens and young adults who have participated in previous Free Arts programs, build skills and community by engaging in art activities, leadership training, and apprenticeships. Most Free Arts Alumni have transitioned out of congregate...
In 1993, a young art therapist was introduced to a program in California that provided opportunities for vulnerable children to experience the healing effects of art making and caring volunteer mentors. She immediately saw the value of this program and the intense need for it in her own community, the greater Phoenix area. So began...
