ArtStart

Igniting Creativity, Connecting Communities, and Inspiring Action Through the Arts

For more than 35 years, ArtStart has been a vibrant force in the Twin Cities, empowering individuals of all ages to explore their creativity, connect with diverse cultures, and become active stewards of our planet. 

Through innovative arts programming, we provide transformative experiences that foster critical thinking, self-expression, and a deeper understanding of the world around us.

Our Impact

• School Residencies: We bring the arts to life in classrooms through dynamic residencies, engaging students in hands-on learning that integrates environmental awareness and sustainable practices. ArtStart offers essential arts programming for many Twin Cities metro schools that would otherwise not be able to provide arts learning to students.
• Arts & Culture Camps: Our unique camps offer children and teens exciting opportunities to explore world cultures through diverse artistic disciplines while working with professional artists. We are committed to making our camps accessible to all. Our scholarship program helps to level the playing field, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore their creativity.
• Studio A Classes: Studio A provides inspiring classes for adults and kids of all experience levels led by professional artists, encouraging creative exploration and reuse of materials.
• ArtScraps ReUse Center: Through our materials donation program, ArtScraps diverts materials from landfills, providing affordable supplies for educators, artists, and families.
• Support of Artists: We support a network of talented teaching artists, offering professional development and commissioning of original art projects.
• Community Engagement: We engage with the broader community through festivals, events, and workshops, making the arts accessible to all.

Your Support Makes a Difference!

Every contribution helps us expand our reach and deepen our impact. Here's how your donation can fuel creativity and inspire change:

• $10: Helps process material donations, keeping up to 60,000 tons out of the waste stream each year.
• $25: Supports our scholarship program.
• $50: Provides essential art supplies for a community workshop.
• $150: Supports a youth intern at our summer camp.
• $200: Helps cover the cost of an artist at a community event.
• $500: Funds a healing arts workshop at a transitional housing facility.
• $1,000: Sends two children to a week-long summer arts camp.
• $2,000: Brings a STEAM residency to four classrooms.
• $5,000: Enables us to participate in the Children's Concert with the St. Paul Civic Symphony.
• $10,000: Funds a community mural or tapestry project.
• $15,000: Helps us implement donor management software to enhance our efficiency.

Join us in transforming lives through the power of art. Donate today and help us cultivate creativity, build community, and inspire action for a brighter future.