Art With A Heart

YOUR VOICE IS YOUR SUPPORT

Go to www.CuriousAndCreative.com and tell us 

WHAT HAS CREATIVITY DONE FOR YOU? 

We will be producing a poster with comments to support 

awareness and funding for future programming.

Opening Event

September 23rd 6-8 pm 

Conrad Hotel 

50 West Washington Street

Indianapolis, Indiana

What would we be missing without creative minds?

Where would we be without creative minds?

Amid the harsh reality of education budget cuts in Indiana, arts programs are commonly the first programs reduced or removed in schools.  Alternative solutions are being created in some communities so that students can still have access to the arts.  And now, one Indianapolis-based group is not only keeping the arts alive for area students, but is working with a renowned five star hotel to allow them the ultimate showing of their work.

Over the last two years, over $300 million has been cut from education budgets in Indiana.  In many school corporations, programs such as fine arts, music, band and dance have been scaled back or cut entirely due to these cuts.  Many communities have relied on museums, churches, after-school programs, community centers or other volunteers for alternative outlets.  One example is Jenny Kiser, a teacher in Lewisville, Indiana, who sought out a grant to run an art program that applies art into other areas of academics.  A particular lesson may be utilizing Andy Warhol’s classic “soup cans” works to illustrate cylinders for mathematics.  Similar type programs have popped up all over the state to try to help with the lack of arts, but in other areas students are still being deprived.

Art with a Heart is a non-profit organization started in 2002 by an art teacher, Carol Conrad, and several of her supportive friends and co-workers.  Their dream and mission was to expose art to at-risk children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do anything artistic.  Almost a decade later, the organization serves over 1,200 children each year through after-school programs, honors art classes, week-long summer camps and even Kindergarten classes.

“While being able to express themselves creatively is fun and rewarding to the kids,” explains Executive Director Andrew Lee, “most importantly, our programs also incorporate educational components such as problem solving and critical thinking skills.” 

Earlier this year, Lee made the acquaintance of two art consultants in the city, who were impressed with the organization and their mission.  GK Rowe is the creative director for Q7 Associates, an Indianapolis marketing and experience design firm.  Chris Mallon is the owner of Editions Limited, a well-renowned art gallery in Broad Ripple.  Both Mallon and Rowe have served as curators for the Conrad Hotel over the last two years, planning quarterly shows in The Alcove at the Conrad, a unique event space inside the hotel.