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The History of Live Up Art, Inc.For too many years, the midtown area of Gary, Indiana has been home to prostitutes, drug dealers and users. While prostitution and drugs are mostly gone, abandoned houses crumbling from exposure remain, though the city of Gary has begun removing these monuments to urban decay and neglect. Area youth, most of whom are African-American, come largely from two housing projects and the surrounding area. Most are from single parent homes in the neighborhood school where 88% qualify for free and reduced lunch. It is here, where the Community Art Center is located and where Live Up Art, Inc. is working to make a difference in the community. We cannot afford to lose another young man to drugs or another young woman to prostitution. Prostitutes and drug dealers are not the role models we desire for our young people, nor is graffiti an appropriate outlet for their artistic expression, nor a skill for future success. Our programs are designed for youth success. In addition to drawing, painting, graphic design, sign and plaque design, we will be involving the youth (100+) in character building activities, and a youth development program providing them with the opportunities, services and support that young people need in order to become responsible, caring adults. Our programs will introduce youth to art in life, showing them that their art talents can be developed into an industry. Each month over the next year, we will take our "artists" to various art facilities, such as museums, galleries, graphic art studios, advertising agencies, television studios, etc. This will help provide our young artists with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their own artistic future, whether it becomes a hobby or a life-long vocation. Additionally, our artists will learn the art of marketing and merchandising their art which will be sold at our "Saturday Market" or at our Art Fair. The adult art classes are offered two evenings a week and Saturday afternoons. Adults will be offered classes in drawing, painting, graphic design and ceramics. The Importance of Our Art Programs
Art programs have a tremendous value in the lives of children: improved attitude toward the future, improved attitude toward school, healthier attitude about drug use, increased positive peer associations, increased positive association with adults, improved self-esteem and self efficacy and increased community involvement. "The arts are critical components of both regional and national economic health and human development. They play a part in helping us understand each other, and in expressing what we feel — both positive and negative — about ourselves, about other people and about the world." -- Heinz Endowment Foundation In 1994, Americans for the Arts published Arts in the Local Economy, a national economic impact study, which found that the nonprofit arts in the United States were a $37 billion industry. "Arts districts attract business investments, reverse urban decay, revitalize struggling neighborhoods and draw tourists. Attendance at art events generates related commerce for hotels, restaurants, parking garages, galleries and more. Art organizations themselves are responsible businesses, employers and consumers." Live Up Art, Inc. provides gallery exhibitions, studio classes, educational programs, summer camps, Saturday markets and other events to help enrich the lives of people in Gary, Indiana. |
Art is Important"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." — Scott Adams |
