Art is by no means an inexpensive endeavour, which is why a local art foundation is looking to raise funds to supplement creative arts programs.
The Art For Everyone Foundation is hosting its inaugural Creative Fundraiser at the McTavish Academy of Art (MAOA) on Saturday, May 27. The Foundation – comprised of MAOA co-founders Sean McNeill, Lucas Copplestone and Carl Joose, along with Andrew Dunn of Warp Academy and Saanich North and the Islands MLA Adam Olsen – was established simultaneously with MAOA. Its dream is that all members of the community have an opportunity to explore and enhance their creativity and self-expression through the arts.
“We’ve had an opportunity to work with a lot of different arts organizations,” McNeill says. “And we noticed a need for this type of funding in the community; that’s where it evolved from. We want to create that bridge between the community and the arts.”
The goal of the event, along with the work of the Art for Everyone Foundation, is to raise funds through individual and corporate donations and sponsorships to support creative programs in the arts and to provide access to program funding for individuals who would not otherwise be able to participate in these programs.
“Programs don’t necessarily need to be done in an art facility. They can be done in an organization as well, like seniors homes and child and youth care programs,” says McNeill. “There’s an existing community of people who are in need of these programs. We want to connect with these organizations and organize and facilitate these programs.”
McNeill adds that right now it’s more challenging to connect exclusively with individuals and families, but in the future the Foundation will look at establishing a system that incorporates this aspect.
The Creative Fundraiser is open to the public. Rather than a set ticket price, donations can be made at the door (1720 McTavish Rd., North Saanich) Saturday evening. There will be live music, art, dance and spoken word followed by a silent auction, along with food and beverages.
For more, visit artforeveryone.ca.