Free Arts for Abused Children Arizona

Thunderbirds Charities Grants $25,000 to Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona

Thunderbirds Charities has awarded Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona (Free Arts) a $25,000 grant to support free creative and therapeutic arts programs for children ages 3 to 21, who have faced neglect and homelessness.  The funds will be used to expand Free Arts core programs: the Weekly Mentor Program, the Professional Artist Series, Free Arts Days and the Camp Series.  It will also support program staff who will recruit and train volunteer mentors in order to serve partner agencies and the children under their care.

“We’re so grateful for Thunderbirds Charities on-going support of our programs,” said Alicia Sutton Campbell, executive director for Free Arts.  “They have consistently supported our programs for children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, homelessness, and neglect over the years.  We currently serve approximately 8,000 children and hope to expand that number with the help of Thunderbirds Charities!”

The Weekly Mentor Program matches volunteer mentors with groups of children living in social service agencies for one-hour weekly art sessions for up to 16 weeks. In the Professional Artist Series, groups of children work with an artist and volunteer mentors in a workshop series that culminates in a performance or exhibition. Free Arts Days offer concentrated artistic experiences during a single day that introduce children to a variety of forms of artistic expression at arts and cultural organizations. The Free Arts Camp Series brings children from different facilities together for day camps that last one week each, during five weeks each year, to explore various art forms.

“Free Arts will be able to serve more children who have experienced trauma,” said Chance Cozby, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “Thunderbirds Charities is proud to support the expansion of their therapeutic arts programs.”

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona

This grant is part of the Fall 2019 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.