Our Mission
“To bring the joy of art and belonging to people of all abilities and circumstances. We are dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of our community members through the transformative power of art.”
A letter from the Founder/Director
September 1st, 2024
Happy Fall Everyone! We are looking forward to new creative adventures at the ART for ALL studio and other locations in the community.
I am often asked, "How is AfA different from other arts organizations around here?" It is partly that we place less emphasis on teaching art skills and much more on finding joy and belonging through art making in community. In addition AfA is dedicated to including people who often feel shut out of cultural opportunities for a variety of reasons including disabilities, lack of finances and feeling insecure about making art.
Several of us on the AfA team have been attending the Building Community Book Club at Fowler Library. The books and discussions have informed out thinking as we have been developing programs and projects. We have found these three books especially helpful and inspiring:
· Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, by Surgeon General Vivek Murthy lays out the depth, breadth and critical nature of the Loneliness Epidemic.
· Project Unlonely, by Jeremy Noble founder of the Foundation for Art and Healing, discusses exciting art projects and programs that demonstrate the healing power of the arts.
· This is Your Brain on Art, by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, goes into the clinical research on the positive effects of creative work on brain health, overall physical health and the emotions.
In October, I will be leading a three-part series at Concord's Council on Aging called Your Brain on Art, based upon the last book above. Each session will include a lecture, group discussion and an art activity.
The series will take place on October 17th, 24th, and 31st from 1:00 to 2:30. Anyone over the age of 60 can register for the series through the Council on Aging in early October.
Wishing you all much creative joy and an abundance of connections!
Margot Kimball
How it began
Art for All began in January of 2019 as Art Gym, a community art outreach organization with the goal of bringing people of all abilities and circumstances together through making public artworks. Our first weekly class was Wonderful Wednesdays with Minute Man Arc for Human Services, and our first public artwork was a mural, Music in the Village, that is on the side of the ice cream shop, Reasons to be Cheerful.
Today
The Art for All Abilities program has grown to two weekly workshops, and two studio prep times. We have made 7 collaborative public murals in West Concord and held hundreds of free and low cost workshops, put up over 100 exhibits and displays in local venues and, through the Yard Signs Repurposed Project, in people’s yards. We collaborate with two dozen local businesses, cultural organizations and town programs. About 30 people are central, actively volunteering at ART for ALL and another 20 are in the wings. Thank you center and wings!
Vision Statement
To provide a creative home for the community where all feel welcomed, included, and connected.
Our Values
Connection. We believe that art fosters human connection, and that everyone deserves to feel valued, appreciated, and accepted.
Community. We believe in the power of community and trust that art can build the bonds of community through shared creative experiences.
Diversity. We seek to bring together people of all different economic and racial/ethnic backgrounds, varying levels of artistic training, cognitive profiles, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Access. We aim to serve communities that may not have access to art in another capacity.
Wellbeing. We believe that making art can improve mental health, quality of life, and personal growth.
Environment. We are committed to adopting environmentally sustainable practices when available.
Art. Art makes life better, fuller, and richer simply with its presence. Art can be enjoyed by everyone – regardless of whether you assisted in its creation or simply experienced the end-product.