Our Mission

The Birth of ArtCorps

During a sabbatical in Central America, Martine Kellett, the Executive Director of New England Biolabs Foundation (NEBF), observed the common struggle her grantees faced as they attempted to stimulate community participation and convey complex environmental and social issues to local groups.

The trustees of this environmentally-focused foundation agreed to create and fund a new program that would integrate the use of art and culture to bridge the divide between local organizations and the communities they serve, and hence, ArtCorps was born. With increased demand for artists from organizations in Central America, ArtCorps began to grow beyond a program within the foundation and established itself as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2006.

Since 2000, ArtCorps has partnered with more than 20 organizations in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador to build stronger more sustainable futures. With the creative expertise of over 49 artists from around the world, ArtCorps has worked closely with local organizations to incorporate art and culture as powerful tools to empower and educate communities, achieving lasting and significant change.

Timeline

1999: ArtCorps is created as a pilot program of the New England Biolabs Foundation.

2000: The first ArtCorps Artist, Claudia Missana, is sent to work with FUNDARY in Guatemala for three months.

2001: Three ArtCorps Artists volunteer for six months in Guatemala.

2002: ArtCorps partners with the Wildlife Conservation Society in the Petén region of Guatemala.

2002-05: Each year, three ArtCorps Artists volunteer for six to nine months.

2004: ArtCorps expands its partnerships to El Salvador.

2006: ArtCorps becomes an independent nonprofit organization, sending four ArtCorps Artists to Guatemala and El Salvador for nine-month residencies.

2007: ArtCorps increases the volunteer service period to a minimum of one year. Five ArtCorps Artists are sent to the field for one-year residencies.

2008-09: Eight ArtCorps Artists volunteer for one year.

2009: ArtCorps expands its partnerships to Honduras. Locally-based Regional Program Manager is hired to provide support to artists and partner organizations. Three artists return for a second year to build on their work. ArtCorps Art for Social Action handbook is published. First Learning Journey brings ArtCorps supporters to the field.

2010: ArtCorps sends 10 artists to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, including the first Documentary Photographer/Filmmaker and five returning artists.