Hello, New Subscribers!
We hope you'll enjoy this monthly update on all things Upstream Arts. We only include highlights here, so be sure to keep tabs on our website to learn more about our arts programming for people with disabilities at every stage of life, plus public events and opportunities.
Upstream Arts Participant and Teaching Artist at Bethune elementary school Photo by Matt Guidry

Upstream Arts approved for NEA grant
We are thrilled to announce that Upstream Arts has been recommended for an Arts Works grant through the National Endowment for the Arts in support of our programs in the Minneapolis Public Schools for the 2017-2018 academic year.
 Above: An Upstream Arts Participant and Teaching Artist at Bethune. Photo: Matt Guidry
Unrestricted Interest Poetry Workshops at Center for Engaging Autism - August 7-11
Unrestricted Interest is partnering with the Center for Engaging Autism to offer five days of poetry workshops for students and pedagogy workshops for educators, from August 7-11. Featuring daily poets sponsored by Coffee House Press and supported by the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Join the Conversation 
Each month in this corner, we share resources related to our ongoing campaign to generate artistic reflection and public conversation about stigma associated with disability.
This month, we're looking at The Rooted in Rights Storytellers Series, which features videos by and for people with disabilities. Stories include advocacy around flying with a mobility device, legislative measures in the Tunisian consitution, and the fight to save the Disabled Students Residence Program at Berkeley.
As always, we welcome your thoughts via email, Facebook, or Twitter.


Dear Friend,
Summer is swinging into gear with sunshine and promise. As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we have lots of great things to look forward to. In this issue of The Current, you'll find
  • Info on our upcoming performance The Art of Me (which includes a story involving a capricious leprechaun)
  • A persuasive essay written by our favorite 4th grader, Lillian Guidry
  • Gratitude and a chance to support our final push for this fiscal year (Add your own pot of gold!)
  • Announcement of an NEA Art Works grant for our thriving programs in the Minneapolis Public School system
With abundant thanks for all that you do!
Julie, Matt, Bree, and everyone at Upstream Arts
Upstream Arts Participants and Teaching Artists performing on stage at The Art of We
Above: A recent iteration of The Art of Me, created with Highland Friendship Club at Park Square Theatre. Photo: Doug Knutson.
The Art of Me: Performance and Conversation - June 28-29  Frey Theater, University of St. Catherine
Come enjoy an evening of all-new performances by artists with disabilities at St. Catherine University's Frey Theater! Our fabulous artists will delight you with songs, stories, and movement. 
In light of recent legislative changes, the disability community is experiencing major transition. In response, we've partnered with Hammer Residences, Lifeworks, and Opportunity Partners to explore the unanswered questions of how our world can be more inclusive, and how we're all responsible for finding those answers.  
The resulting performance is both moving and playful, showcasing some of the varied ways that inclusion looks like for the nearly 20% of Americans living with a disability.
Both performances are ASL interpreted and begin at 6pm.
10-year-old Lillian Guidry with her old brother, Caleb Guidry
Above: Lillian Guidry and her brother, Caleb Guidry 
Photo: courtesy of Julie and Matt Guidry
The Art of Persuasion
Recently Lillian Guidry, the youngest member of the Guidry household, was asked to write a persuasive essay for school. She chose to write about a subject close to our hearts:  
"I think there should be more non-profit organizations with people who have disabilities because people with disabilities matter, they need to have a chance to express their feelings, to have chance to interact with others and have fun."
Teach Artists at The Art of We jumping in front of the board of thank yous and a painting
Teaching Artists in front of the Thank You exhibition at The Art of We: Are Family (photo by Min Enterprises Photography LLC)
Gratitude & The Work Ahead
THANK YOU to our remarkable community for recent gifts!
Our fiscal year ends in just one week on June 30. Will you be one of ten people to donate $150 to help us close our funding gap? Any amount counts towards our big goal of $100,000 from individual donors. Contribute right now by simply clicking here to give online. You can also call (612) 331-4584 to donate by phone or mail a check to Upstream Arts, 3501 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407.
Together, we are moving upstream. Thanks for all that you do!
DONATE NOW
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Upstream Arts Participants and Teaching Artists at Linwood Monroe (left) and CIP Mondays (right) Photos: Theo Goodell
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