"I would highly recommend this program. The concept is wonderful and effective, the people are very enthusiastic and caring, and the result is the beginning of the healing process for children who would otherwise have a very bleak future ahead of them."

Pat Jonas - Program Director, Bridges - Free Arts Minnesota

Programs for Children

Weekly Mentorship Program

The weekly Mentorship Program is offered from September to May. Volunteers provide one hour per week of creative art activities to a specific group of children at one of our 17 metro area partner sites. Our volunteers develop projects for the children that incorporate drawing, painting, dance, drama, sculpture and photography. The program's objectives are to offer children an opportunity to develop healthy relationships with adults, increase their sense of self-worth and help them learn new ways to communicate through participation in the arts. This program helps volunteers and children maintain a consistent relationship. The Free Arts 32-week mentor program is unique because we bring the creative arts programming to the children, on site at their home facility.

Strengthening Families through the Arts

The Strengthening Families through the Arts program brings together parents and children with art activities. The mission of this program is to work with families in crisis, who have not had much opportunity for success in being together as a family. While working on art projects, volunteers show families how to enjoy one another, how to speak positively to each other, and how to recognize each family member's talents and ideas. The Strengthening Families Through the Arts program reintroduces parents to the joy and pride of parenthood and family life while giving them skills that will help them nurture their children.

Free Arts Days

Free Arts Days are corporate or individual sponsored events that occur periodically throughout the year. These events allow children to experience a one-day "festival of the arts." Volunteers spend the day with the children creating art projects in a safe environment. Several art stations are set up and children rotate in small groups to work with caring volunteers who help them with creative art activities such as drama; music/movement; crafts, such as making masks, T-shirts and puppets; and many other self-esteem building projects. After the children are finished with the art stations, they share lunch with the adult volunteers and participate in an interactive art experience.

Special Events

Free Arts Minnesota often secures tickets to arts and cultural events in the Twin Cities community and passes those tickets on to the children served by Free Arts Programs.

Yes to Art

The YES to Art program which stands for "Youth Educates Society to Art" involves short, focused and often themed projects that incorporate local artists working with abused, neglected, at-risk and homeless youth in the Twin Cities as well as in greater Minnesota.

The YES to Art program focuses on self-esteem building for youth by giving them a voice , a chance to succeed in developing new skills and an opportunity to publicly display their artwork through community partnerships with leading arts organizations. The program involves youth in the education of society and allows them to express their views on social issues affecting them while they immerse themselves in new art forms. Art gives them their voice. All art forms are used, including but not limited to, visual arts, dance, theater, creative writing and music.