Challenging times demand creative thinking and innovative solutions.

Dear Member of Our Creative Community,

How many times have we urged our children to wash their hands before eating? How can this concept enter minds and truly change behavior?

Thanks to your generous support, ArtCorps Artists are cultivating creative thinking in organizations and communities across Central America, constructing alternative ways to communicate social messages. A beautiful mural painted by youth is the daily reminder to wash their hands; it also reminds them that they have the power to inspire others.

Last year your support enabled us to send 10 artists from around the world to help individuals and organizations imagine new ways to tackle old problems. Our artists worked on critical issues–Food Security, Forestry, Clean Water, Gender Violence, Women and Youth Leadership–training our partner organizations to use arts-based education and outreach to inspire communities to action. ArtCorps has:

• Transformed Guatemalan schools into family education centers by engaging parents in health workshops that complement lessons their children are learning in the classroom.
• Inspired Honduran youth to protect their environment through youth-led community initiatives such as exploring the local rainforest, painting murals in public spaces and uniting youth groups in support of conservation.
• Increased economic opportunities in rural Guatemala by training women to create artisan products from recycled materials.
• Trained actors who use street theater to educate and engage communities in the prevention of violence against women.

In 2011, we will continue to train the next generation of conservationists, journalists and active citizens. Please donate now and join us in nurturing the creative spirit as we offer communities a path to a future they determine for themselves.

Happy holidays,