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April 27, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Julie Guidry, Executive Director, Upstream Arts
(612) 331-4584 julie@upstreamarts.org
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Upstream Arts participants performing on stage at a previous community gathering. Photo: Theo Goodell | |
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Upstream Arts Invites the Public to The Art of We, Celebrating 10 Years at the Intersection of Art, Disability, and Learning Minneapolis, Minnesota – Upstream Arts invites the public to join The Art of We, the organization’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser on Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 6-9pm (program at 7pm) at The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. The event will include a retrospective exhibit and performance featuring artists with disabilities; live music by local band The New Distractions; a short program, live auction, and Fund-a-Need raising support for Upstream Arts’ programs; plus light refreshments, a cash bar, and more. The Art of We is free to attend, family-friendly, and fully accessible for people of all abilities (including ASL interpretation). RSVPs are appreciated and can be made at www.upstreamarts.org. Upstream Arts is a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis that serves individuals with disabilities at every stage of life through interactive, multidisciplinary arts learning experiences designed to nurture vital social/emotional and communication skills. Upstream Arts was founded in 2006 by Matt and Julie Guidry, inspired by their son, Caleb, who was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome affecting his physical and cognitive development. Caleb is non-verbal; but when Matt, a Twin Cities theatre artist and educator, exposed Caleb to theatre and dance, Caleb began to use the movements, body language, and facial expressions he found in the arts to communicate and engage with those around him. Through this spirit and determination, Upstream Arts was born. Now, a decade later, Upstream Arts annually serves more than 3500 individuals from birth to 75+ with cognitive, developmental, emotional, behavioral, and physical disabilities, as well as those with visual impairments and those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. This year, the organization is running over 100 programs in partnership with schools, Adult Day Programs, and other community organizations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, Milwaukee, and beyond. All Upstream Arts programs are taught by professional artists who are among the most accomplished actors, directors, playwrights, poets, dancers, musicians, and visual artists in the region. Upstream Arts’ work begins from the core belief that infusing arts strategies into education and services for individuals with disabilities at every stage of life innovates teaching and learning for all kinds of diverse learners, and provides opportunities for communities that have historically been denied voice and choice to express themselves and tell their stories through the arts. Upstream Arts has been widely recognized as an innovative leader at the intersection of art, disability, and learning, with program support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Minnesota State Arts Board, F.R. Bigelow Foundation, Saint Paul Foundation, Pohlad Family Foundation, American Association of University Women, and California Institute of Contemporary Arts Foundation, among others. This past year, Upstream Arts also was selected to receive an award of $100,000 from The Bush Foundation as part of its Community Creativity Cohort, a one-time program designed to recognize and learn from exemplary organizations that meaningfully engage people in the arts and integrate the arts into public life. The Art of We event on May 19, 2016 will celebrate the past decade of Upstream Arts’ groundbreaking work while looking ahead at the next ten years to come. Central to the evening will be a retrospective exhibit of photography, paintings, and poetry from the organization’s programs between 2006-2016. Guests also can enjoy live music by The New Distractions, a Minneapolis four-piece band playing a range of classic blues, swing, R&B and folk rock tunes, with unique arrangements and covers of artists from to Etta James to Peggy Lee to Johnny Cash (https://www.reverbnation.com/thenewdistractions) . Light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be provided. At 7pm, a program will feature a performance by Upstream Arts Teaching Artists and participants; brief remarks from Upstream Arts Co-Founders Julie and Matt Guidry; plus a live auction and Fund-a-Need, with all proceeds directly supporting the organization’s innovative programs for individuals with disabilities. The evening will conclude at 9pm. The Art of We is open to all members of the public, whether or not one has a previous relationship to Upstream Arts. The event is free to attend, family-friendly, and fully accessible (including ASL interpretation). Tax-deductible donations to Upstream Arts can be made during the event, online, by mail, or by phone. For details or to learn more about Upstream Arts, please visit www.upstreamarts.org. High resolution images of Upstream Arts programs available upon request. Please contact Julie Guidry at (612) 331-4584 or julie@upstreamarts.org.
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| CALENDAR LISTING
The Art of We: Upstream Arts’ 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser
Thursday, May 19, 2016
6:00-9:00pm (Program at 7:00pm)
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407
FREE, but RSVPs appreciated – please visit www.upstreamarts.org
Upstream Arts invites the public to join The Art of We, the organization’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser on Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 6-9pm (program at 7pm) at The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. The event will include a retrospective exhibit and performance featuring artists with disabilities; live music by The New Distractions; a short program, live auction, and Fund-a-Need raising support for Upstream Arts; plus hors d’oevures, a cash bar, and more. The Art of We is free to attend, family-friendly, and fully accessible for people of all abilities (including ASL interpretation). To RSVP and learn more, please visit www.upstreamarts.org.
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