Kutenai Art Therapy Institute

About Art for People

Mission Statement:

Art for People Projects is committed to promoting creativity that is open to all people, everywhere.

Purpose:

To offer and support culturally sensitive art projects in diverse communities;

To focus on the healing potential of art making;

To create a legacy of creative art projects;

To create an initiative that incorporates art/craft making into a marketable product for individuals and communities to achieve more sustainability;

To contribute to social change and justice by bringing art therapy to the global community.

Vision:

Art for People was created by Martine Bédard and Andy Holmes, two graduates from the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute. The seeds of Art for People originated from Martine and Andy's dilemma around selling the art they created. The wanted to sell affordable art to counter the historical trend of art being bought by wealthy people. They also wanted to make the sale of artwork about something broader than personal profit.

Structure:

Art for People Projects is an initiative overseen by KATIA (Kutenai Art Therapy Institute Association), which raises money to support creative community projects around the world. Art for People Projects intends to continue fundraising to support creative projects worldwide.

Coordinator:

Andy Holmes

History and Highlights of Art for People

(for more info visit www.artforpeople.ca)

August 2005:

First Art for People fundraiser to benefit the Kootenay Rowbusters, a breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, and the BC Breast Cancer Research Society.

February 2006:

Second Art for People fundraiser held at Diamond Mountain University, Arizona, to raise funds for:

an art therapy project at the Casa Elisabeth Orphanage in Imuris, Mexico;
an open community art project for children in Imuris, Mexico;
the Diamond Mountain University Foundation.

June 2007:

Third Art for People fundraiser held at Coombe Cottage, Rossland, to raise funds to purchase art and school materials to be distributed in rural communities in Peru.

June 2008:

Fourth Art for People fundraiser held at Coombe Cottage, Rossland, with funds going to:

the theatre of the oppressed project in Brazil;
a project in Nairobi using expressive arts with street youth;
two grants to fund creative projects.

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