Building Stronger Communities
The Art Effect Releases 2020 Annual Report and End of Year Campaign: Building Stronger Communities
POUGHKEEPSIE (November 18, 2021) – The Art Effect’s 2020 Annual Report gives the community a snapshot into The Art Effect’s diverse programming as well as the impact on the community over the last year. The report showcases how The Art Effect plays a crucial role supporting young people in developing art as a catalyst for change. Despite a global pandemic, The Art Effect continued to reach more than 8,500 individuals tackling a new landscape of virtual events and learning opportunities through a challenging but rewarding year. This year’s end of year campaign raises funds that go directly toward real-life opportunities for students to create art and media projects that serve an authentic purpose in our community. “In times of great crisis the population has relied on art to increase morale. History has shown us that artists have led the wave of resilience that leads us to a stronger country. Art saves lives, now more than ever.” says Lamar Wint, Youth Producer at The Art Effect. The report defines “The Art Effect” through the eyes of young artists and demonstrates its significance through programmatic and financial outcomes, their pandemic response, and alumni successes. The organization was honored with the Dutchess County Executive Arts Award in Arts Education from Arts Mid-Hudson, but perhaps the most impressive accomplishments are the awards won by The Art Effect’s students. In 2020, over 75 Scholastic Art Awards and nearly $1 million in scholarships were awarded to young people at The Art Effect. Additionally, two of The Art Effect’s senior students received competitive grand prizes from the Congressional Art Competition. In 2020, over 8,500 individuals were directly served by the organization through programming and events that teaches artistic expression, personal growth, and empowering children to master their passions and prepare for personal and professional success. 100% of students in the Art Institute program graduated high school and were accepted into college with scholarship offers. Additionally, 325 high school students participated in Virtual Portfolio Week, 610 artworks were submitted and curated by youth for the organization’s inaugural international juried art show at the Trolley Barn Gallery, and The Art Effect employed 110 youth through workforce development programming. The Art Effect has never stopped helping students explore their passions and prepare them for their future. The Art Effect continues to build a stronger community by partnering with many impactful organizations here in the Hudson Valley to offer students paid training opportunities through workforce development programs including Spark Studios, Media, Arts, Design Lab (MADLab), Forge Media, and new programs in curation and gallery management as a result of The Art Effect’s affiliation with Barrett Arts Center. The Art Effect launches it’s end of the year campaign with a goal of raising $30,000 towards creating the partnerships and resources young people need to build real-world skills in their path toward academic and career success. Watch the video to hear directly from young people and community partners. (https://thearteffect.org/donate) See the full power of The Art Effect in their 2020 Annual Report, available HERE. About The Art Effect: The Art Effect empowers youth to develop their creative voice to shape their futures and bring about positive social change. The organization facilitates educational programming for youth in the Hudson Valley to explore, experience and excel in the arts. Programs provide introductions to visual arts and media, giving participants the opportunity to develop real skills in these fields and guiding them towards achieving their academic and career goals. The Art Effect is anchored by the belief that the arts have the power to create a more vibrant, caring and sustainable world led by a generation of youth who value creative thinking, diverse voices and stronger connections between all people. ###
