The Current

Upstream Arts News
February 2016  

Welcome, New Subscribers! 
We hope you'll enjoy this monthly update on our work, events, ways to get involved, and more. We only include highlights here, so be sure to visit our website to learn more about our multidisciplinary arts programs for people with disabilities at every stage of life.
The Art of Play Tomorrow
Calling all families and care providers of children ages birth to 5, with and without special needs: Join us for a new session of The Art of Play at Minneapolis Central Library tomorrow, Thursday, February 25, from 10:30-11:30am! In partnership with Minneapolis Public Schools Early Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education, and Hennepin County Library, we are delighted to offer this interactive arts and storytime program free of charge. No RSVP needed; just show up! Click here to learn more.
Sponsor The Art of We in May!
It may still be cold outside, but we're getting super excited for The Art of We, our big 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser, coming up this spring on Thursday, May 19! In preparation for all the fun, we’re especially seeking the support of our business and alumni communities - not only to help bring the whole Upstream Arts community together and expand it, but also to keep the celebration FREE to attend, a critical acess point. Click here to learn more.

Join the Conversation 
In this corner of The Current, we regularly share videos, articles, and other resources that relate to our disability is not a four-letter word campaign.
This month, we're appreciating the article, "My Disability Challenges a Major Theatre Aesthetic" by Ricky Young-Howze on HowlRound, questioning the convention that audiences watching theatre must be quiet. How does it resonate with your own thoughts and experiences? We'd love to hear from you! Check it all out, then hit reply to let us know what you think.
Dear Friend, 
Happy last few days of February! This month in The Current, we're thrilled to tell you all about:
  • Two exciting VocalPoint concerts this weekend
  • Recent press from our work in Milwaukee
  • A new Art of Play session for families tomorrow
  • A great new piece on HowlRound about disability and audience conventions in theatre
  • Multiple ways to support Upstream Arts as we move closer and closer to our big 10th Anniversary fundraising goal
As always, this email only scratches the surface of all that is happening in the Upstream Arts community. Stay tuned to our website and social media for more!
We're so grateful to have you in our community. Thank you for all that you do!
Julie, Matt, Bree, and everyone at Upstream Arts
VocalPoint postcard
Join VocalPoint in St. Paul this weekend for an exciting new choral experience!
Concerts this weekend
It's almost time! We're so thrilled and honored to be the beneficiary of this year's VocalPoint Concerts at Central Presbyterian Church in St. Paul THIS COMING SATURDAY AND SUNDAY - and we hope you're planning to join us for what promises to be a magnificent event. Upstream Arts Teaching Artists will perform alongside VocalPoint’s extraordinary 70-voice chorus at the two public concerts, both starting at 4pm; and there will be a retrospective exhibit of images from our programs over the past 10 years. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door; and $5 for students. Click here to learn more.
The Art of Me in Milwaukee
Upstream Arts Teaching Artists and Participants in The Art of Me (Photo courtesy of the JCC)
The Art of Me, Milwaukee Edition
In case you missed the buzz, we had a fabulous show at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Milwaukee earlier this month! Our latest iteration of The Art of Me featured adults with disabilities from the JCC's Chaverim program in an original photography exhibit and performance, created over the two weeks prior through an intensive Upstream Arts residency. Catch up on the excitment with our own Executive Director Julie Guidry on WISN Channel 12 news; Jeff Rumage's feature in his column for Glendale Now; plus a piece by Jody Hirsh, Judaic education director of the JCC, for the Wisconsin Gazette. We also look forward to sharing more images and video from the exhibit and performance in the coming weeks - stay tuned!
Click here to Donate Now
Upstream Arts Teaching Artists and Participants at Midwest Special Services (Photo by Matt Guidry)
Gratitude & The Work Ahead
We're so grateful for recent gifts from Satoru and Sheila Asato, The Stephen & Mary Ann Kanee Family Fund, The Leseman Family, Marilyn Mounger, Gillian Spence, two anonymous donors, and The Graham Smith Team at Keller Williams Realty, in honor of Michael and Julie Swanke! Thank you, all!
As you know, we're celebrating our 10th Anniversary and have a big goal of raising $100,000 by June 30. That's how much it will take to keep providing the highest quality arts learning experiences for people with disabilities at every stage of life, from babies and families in The Art of Play to our retirement community, as we move upstream into the next 10 years.
You can always make a one-time gift to Upstream Arts online or by mail; but here are 3 other fun and meaningful ways to support in the coming months:
Come to a VocalPoint Concert this weekend. We can't wait to share the Upstream Arts story in a brand new way! Info above, or click here to learn more.
Sponsor The Art of We. There are so many ways to get involved with our 10th Anniversary Celebration this May! See the sidebar, or click here to learn more.
Establish a recurring donation. We're grateful for ALL kinds of gifts; but being able to count on recurring support allows us to budget and plan in a whole new way. Setting up a recurring gift is easy to do; click here to set up one up now.
Your belief and support inspire us every day. Thank you for all that you do!
Click to Donate Now
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