Thank you for supporting free, accessible, tranformative art & design programs for teens!

Over the last year, program enrollment grew by 82%, and an additional 89 students were waitlisted, even after we added 20% more seats in each class. Students and parents have expressed a desire for more opportunities for teens to connect and engage outside of school - off-screens - in positive, welcoming environments, and your gift helps us make those opportunities possible! Our Student Advisory Council chose the theme reconnection this year out of a desire to reconnect with the people, places, and practices that nurture authenticity and wholeness, and we love supporting them in this movement!

Quantitative & qualitative feedback over the last 15 years indicate that our programs are highly effective at improving short and long term academic engagement and wellness outcomes. Students, parents, and alumni cite the welcoming, supportive, creative atmosphere and the freedom to experiment without regard to rubric and grades as offering relief from the stress of school, while engaging their minds and encouraging learning. They also love comnnecting with successful artists and designers with whom they identify in a personal way. Every day, we see that curiosity leads to questions, questions, lead into conversations, and conversations lead to life-impacting decisions.

On behalf of our students, SAC, and board, thank you for investing in a brighter, more creative, and better connected future - for teens and for our community!

Emily Christensen, Executive Director

Annual Fall Benefit 2026

Gather * Connect * Imagine * Create