The Current
Upstream Arts News | January 2014
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In This Issue
Our Mission
The mission of Upstream Arts is to enhance the lives of adults and youth with disabilities by fostering creative communication and social independence through the power of arts education. To learn more about our work, please visit
 
donate
Practice with Us
 
 
 
STOP.


Dear Friend, 

Are you multitasking right now? Daydreaming? Is your mind in ten different places? 

Consider stopping whatever you're doing, just for a moment, and taking a deep inhale - and exhale. 

 

             Look.          See.          Participate.          Learn.

 

 
It's a busy new year! We're thrilled for all that lies ahead, but also have to regularly recenter ourselves in this practice that is so central to our mission. Will you join us in 2014? 
  • Regularly stop what you're doing. 
  • Look around. 
  • Take time to really see people. 
  • Participate in your community. 
  • Be open to what you might learn in the process. 
As ever, we are so grateful for the enthusiasm, energy, and generosity of our community. We hope to see you soon!

Julie, Matt, Bree, and everyone at Upstream Arts
"Upstream" Exhibit at Bloomington Theatre and Art Center
Caleb. Photo by Dirk Ansch�tz.
 
The "Upstream" exhibit is back! If you missed it earlier this fall (or, like us, would love to see it again), please join us at the Bloomington Theatre and Art Center for a new showing of this beautiful series by photographer Dirk Ansch�tz, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota"Upstream" offers straight-on, unsentimental portraits of young adults with disabilities. Anschtz's work focuses on the complex human being beyond the disability. The exhibit is open to the public, free of charge, from January 16-March 2.

Together with BTAC, we're delighted to be offering several companion programs to the exhibition, including an interactive training ("The Art of Access") on 2/4 and a panel discussion ("INTERSECTIONS: Disability and the Arts") on 2/11. Click here for gallery hours and to learn more about all companion events. You can also RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook!

art i. facts
art i. facts are stories, poems, artwork, and other behind-the-scenes highlights from Upstream Arts programs, connecting you directly to the work that we do. 
Painting created collaboratively by Upstream Arts participants at the JCC in Milwaukee
Last August, Upstream Arts spent a week in residency at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center in Milwaukee. We worked with children ages 5-12 and teens ages 13+ on multidisciplinary arts activities rooted in "The Art of Social Skills," one of our most popular tracks exploring how theater, poetry, music, and the visual arts can help individuals of all abilities explore creative and positive modes of self-expression.
 
Our experience in Milwaukee was incredible. Not only did we fall in love with the JCC and surrounding community, but the participants continually blew us away, working together to create evocative paintings, like those above and below, and brilliant poems, like this one:
 
You can choose how much energy to use

Paint when you feel good, and add to the conversation

Converse with paint, sound, or your body!

Keep your cool and don't let the bully get you down

Be the person you want to be

And be the best person in your own town

 

We're looking forward to bringing "The Art of Social Skills" back to the JCC in Milwaukee this February - keep reading to learn how you can get involved!

 

"The Art of Social Skills" in Milwaukee
Painting created collaboratively by Upstream Arts participants at the JCC in Milwaukee

We are thrilled to be bringing "The Art of Social Skills" back to the Rose & Harry Samson Family Jewish Community Center in Milwaukee from February 16-20, this time for youth age 8-14 and teens/young adults age 14+. Come learn how theater, poetry, music, and visual arts can help you explore creative and positive self-expression! Participants will gain hands-on experience using the arts as a tool for positive self-expression in everyday life. Registration required; click here to learn more. 

Gratitude & The Work Ahead
Image via Kevin Neuner


Once again, we are humbled by the outpouring of support we've seen over this past month! Immense thanks to our most recent contributors: 

John and JoAnn Berg Bablitch; Allan and Susan Carneol; Joe and Jane Cavanaugh; Kayla Collins; Jeff Cords and Amy Scheller; Barbara Dambrose; Catherine and Bedellmus Downing; Brittany Foster; Lee and Serge Garces; Susan Haas and Michael Sommers; John and Diane Hallberg; Bridget Harrington and Graham Smith; Carmen Harris; Julie Hirsch and Ron Feldman; David Horan; Calvin Keasling; Bruce and Janice Kramer; Jack and Laura Lee; Bill Mask and Anne Howden; Marilyn Mounger; Tom and Darlene Neidlinger; Rebecca Orman; Katie Piehl and Richard Knowlton; Elisabeth Pletcher-Harincar and Tim Harincar; John and Nancy Quinlan; Karl and Lisa Simer; Ed Sootsman and Scott Appelwick; Alan and Jean Thiel; Julia and Greg Yager
 
We're also incredibly grateful to the Nash Foundation for supporting us with a new grant in 2014!
 
To keep you apprised of our needs and your impact, we're offering a monthly update on our "funding gap" - the amount we need to raise before the end of the fiscal year to meet our financial goals. At this moment, we need to raise 
$42,237 
before June 30, 2014. 
 
Moving into February, we have a goal of securing 4 more contributions of $50. Will you be 1 of 4 people to help us get from here to there this monthVisit GiveMN.org to make your secure online contribution today. We're so grateful for your partnership.
 
Call for Artists
Arts on Chicago returns in 2014 for another exciting year of creative placemaking projects along Chicago Avenue! Through the support of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Arts on Chicago will select three projects that promote and encourage broad community participation in healthy active living. Individual artists, artist teams, and organizations are invited to participate by proposing a project with a total budget of $5,000. Deadline 1/31. Click here to learn more. 

The Archives
A big "Welcome!" to all receiving The Current for the first time, and "Thanks!" to our regular subscribers for taking the time to catch up with Upstream Arts. To read past issues of The Current, check out the growing archive on our website! Please rest assured we will never share your information and that you can always opt out, or invite new friends to opt in, using the links below. 

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Upstream Arts, Inc.
3501 Chicago Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
UpstreamArts.org 

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