| 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 multidisciplinary arts programs for people with disabilities at every stage of life, as well as community workshops and events.
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Gaelynn Lea on Fox 9 Huge thanks to everyone who came out for A Concert and Conversation with Gaelynn Lea at Surly Brewing Company last month! What a beautiful night. Whether or not you were able to join us, you'll want to check out the fabulous Fox 9 News feature on Gaelynn Lea that came out of it. A big shoutout of thanks to Tom Lyden for his thoughtful reporting and support of the arts. Click here to watch.
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| Sponsorship Opportunity Are you interested in reaching a diverse new audience from across the Minneapolis/St. Paul disability, arts, and education communities? Become a sponsor for The Art of We: Upstream Arts' 4th Annual Community Celebration and Fundraiser at the American Swedish Institute on May 18! The sooner you sign up, the more we can promote your amazingness to our circles leading up to the event. Click here to learn more.
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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 want to plug an exciting opportunity coming up in April. In celebration of both Autism Awareness Month and National Poetry Month, Unrestricted Interest is partnering with the Autism Society of Minnesota to offer a four-week poetry workshop class at Open Book in Minneapolis. As the instructor, Chris Martin, notes: "Poems are fun and beautiful and strange, but they also allow us to see each other's humanity, providing crucial platforms for advocacy and growth." We agree! Click here to learn more and register. If you participate, we'd love to hear how it goes - please share your thoughts (and, if you're willing, poems!) on Facebook or Twitter.
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Dear Friend,
This month's newsletter is chock full of SO MUCH goodness:- An invitation to The Art of Me at Park Square Theatre, plus a related super fun video series
- A beautiful new blog post by Aaron Fiskradatz
- Glimpses of last month's Gaelynn Lea concert on Fox 9
- A poetry workshop for writers on the autism spectrum
- Sponsorship opportunities for our big May event
- Gratitude for recent gifts, plus a funding gap update
We're so happy to be in this community with you. Thanks for all that you do, and we hope to see you soon!
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| You're invited! The Art of Me at Park Square Highland Friendship Club and Upstream Arts are thrilled to present The Art of Me: Performance and Exhibit at Park Square Theatre in downtown St. Paul next week! On Friday 3/24, from 6:30-8pm, a photo exhibit created by individuals with disabilities from the HFC community, UA Teaching Artists, and guest photographer Jeff Cords opens with a public reception. On Saturday 3/25, at 3pm and again at 5:30pm, original performances created by the same groups will be shared, with the exhibit on view and a reception between shows. Green Jeans Media has been making delightful video teasers for the project; watch the first two at the link above, then stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter for more coming soon. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
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Aaron and his sister Laura |
| A Teaching Artist's Path As part of our declared Year of the Teaching Artist, we're featuring our Teaching Artists on the blog this spring! We're excited for you to be able to get to know them better in this way, while unpacking some of the many different ways that people relate to our work. First up: Aaron Fiskradatz. In his introduction, UA Artistic Director Matt Guidry notes, "Aaron joined our team a year and a half ago already firm in his commitment to the craft of teaching artistry, but that’s not the only influence that brought him here." Click here to read more.
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|  | Upstream Arts participant Rosie and Teaching Artist Masa in rehearsal for The Art of Me (photo: Highland Friendship Club) | |
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| Gratitude & The Work Ahead
Our funding gap is now $51,837. That's how much we still need to raise before June 30 to meet our major goal of $100,000 from individual gifts this year. It may sound like a lot, but we know it's doable; you took us above and beyond that number last spring! Your investment not only brings inclusive arts opportunities to individuals of all ages and abilities at schools, disability service providers, and community organizations; it also supports events like the Gaelynn Lea concert last month and The Art of Me next week - fun, creative, thought-provoking experiences where people across many communities intersect and enrich each other's lives. Thank you for all that you make possible!
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