Our Mission
The ArtThread Foundation makes art and creative expression more available to those impacted by illness, physical limitations, or social consequence. The Foundation works to build a global art-based community by making it possible for people to share and communicate via art. ArtThread uses art as an agent of community change by sharing our technology assets with our partner organizations whose mission is to support arts in healthcare, child advocacy, arts in the schools, and community-building - any program that serves people in crisis or those with special needs. From cancer survivors, to persons with disabilities, or children at risk, ArtThread provides a healthy way for these everyday people to connect, be creative, and thrive in their daily life. People feeling better and coming together through the power of creative expression -- this is the work of the ArtThread Foundation.
What We Do
The Foundation generates revenues through donors, corporate sponsors, contracts, grants, and the Gallery's e-commerce features. The Foundation supports existing art programs by putting both artists and our technology into schools, hospitals, and retirement communities. These art mentors teach people to tell their stories through healthy creative expression. Through partnerships with community and national organizations, ArtThread provides training in the use of its Gallery and online art-making tools for those with limited access to the tools of creative expression. ArtThread uses its technology to build a global art-based community that bolsters the individual spirit across cultural and language barriers, and puts art EVERYWHERE: home, work, in-patient and clinic settings, schools, and in community organizations.
art?
The word “art” (not a capital "a") connotes a wide variety of meaning for all of us. Here’s how we see it:
art (ärt) 1. the human ability to make things; the act of individual expression or declaration. 2. an attitude changer; a shout out; a uniter/connector; not what’s hanging in a museum.
For the survivor (and we are all survivors) the act of individual expression can be a symbol of independence and unity. Now imagine being able to share that symbol with survivors all over the world. ArtThread is that global community, linked by a common thread of support for one another.
Our History
The ArtThread Foundation evolved from a US Department of Commerce and NIH/NCI-funded arts-based research and patient service program at the University of Florida. Drawing on the expertise gained from five years of working with people with physical limitations and health challenges, the Foundation forged a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University in order to develop online art-tools that bring the possibility of creative expression to people with limited access to traditional art-making tools.
In 2006 ArtThread moved from its academic-based roots to a community-based organization where tools for creating and sharing art can be used by the broader population. As part of its mission ArtThread offers all of its technology assets to enhance the services of other non-profits such as VSA arts of Florida. These assets include an engaging interactive online gallery and highly-accessible art-making tools. The Foundation's partnership with Shriners Hospital of Tampa is an example of how ArtThread brings both artists and art-making tools to a population in need. And our work with the Project 10: Transition Education Network brings the benefits of more art in the schools to students with disabilities in Florida public schools.
Email us: thrive@artthread.org
The ArtThread Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity. All gifts and donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
