SCFD Grants

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SCFD LogoArt from Ashes has received grants from the Denver County Cultural Council, the Adams County Cultural Council, the Arapahoe County Cultural Council and the Douglas County Cultural Council to support workshops in those specific counties in 2018.

Thank you to the citizens of the SCFD counties who voted to continue SCFD funding!  See below for how much your decision to spend 1/10th of 1 penny impacts Colorado!

The Colorado Business Committee for the Arts analyzed the economic impact of arts organizations assisted by SCFD funding:

  • Economic activity: $1.8 billion
  • Cultural tourism: $367 million; capital expenditures: $55 million; federal grants: $90.8 million
  • Total jobs: 10,731 (This covers a broad array of positions, from curator to accountant to zookeeper to jazz teacher)
  • Total payroll: $165.2 million
  • Total seat sales and payroll taxes: $19.8 million
  • Total contributions: $176.4 million
  • Total attendance: 13.9 million (The average metro resident had 4.5 art experiences in 2015.)
  • Total outreach to children: 3.9 million
  • Total volunteers 42,415 (Hours spent volunteering reached 2,031,073.)
  • SCFD distributions: $53.2 million.

-Sonya Ellingboe, Castle Rock News-Press

We Moved!

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10th-navajoFor 13 years Art from Ashes has proclaimed the power of words — a power that is evident in the transformed lives of the youth we serve. This year, and especially these past several weeks, we have seen the power of hateful words to be very real, especially in the political arena. And that negative power hit home for Art from Ashes in a very real way, too. The rhetoric of fear has infected our relationship with our landlord. Formerly an ally, he has made it clear he can no longer support our stand for racial justice. Because of this tension and his unreasonable demand for a $1000 a month rent increase, we cannot continue to serve the youth in our current space.

Fear breeds fear, and we were terrified. We had no idea where to go so quickly or where we would find a place our small agency could afford. Art from Ashes staff and volunteers helped turn 853 Inca St from an ugly warehouse to the warm and comfortable place is has been for us, for the volunteers, for the community, and most importantly, for the youth for nearly 10 years.

But Art from Ashes handles fear with faith.

We had faith in our community, and our community rose to the occasion. The Denver Housing Authority is providing a welcoming home for our diverse population. We will be moving into the space at 10th and Navajo on December 29th–30th!newspace-2

The young people impacted by bigotry and abuse need us more than ever, because they also are angry, afraid and feeling unheard. Thanks to your vital support over the years, the generosity of our funders, the hard work of our staff, board and volunteers, and the good people at Denver Housing Authority, AfA will continue to give the youth the opportunity to be heard, because we know their creative power will transform the world for good.

Some think our country is moving backward, but Art from Ashes is pushing forward. Will you move forward with us?

Please let us know if you are willing to support our work with youth (in a new place in a new year!)

Thank you to all our volunteers for helping us move! Look forward to our upcoming “Illuminate” homewarming, gallery opening, and youth performance!

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Re-Live Running of the Gays 2016!

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About 60 fabulous runners came out this September for our seventh annual Running of the Gays event donned in boas, high heels and glamorous skirts to support Denver’s LGBTQ youth. All money raised at the event was put towards empowerment programs for youth at Voz y Corazon, a Mental Health Center of Denver organization providing suicide prevention services for youth, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+.

Our youth poets performed, local drag queens hosted the festivities and dozens of local Denver residents strutted the streets to celebrate the empowerment of Denver’s LGBTQ+ youth.

Art from Ashes has a long and involved history of supporting LGBTQ+ youth, a group often overlooked and silenced in society. In fact, 97.1% of youth involved in AfA programs affirm feeling safe, and 97.4% affirm they trust facilitators, both key elements in suicide prevention.

Of course, just because the work is serious doesn’t mean we can’t have fun! Check out our slideshow of some of our best moments from this year’s event. Next year, experience the fun and whimsy yourself and join us!

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Jeremy – Age 16

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Manuel Perez – Age 17

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Synesthesia

expressionLove is the red flames of a burning fire
Intensifying as time goes on
Love is the sound of a bird chirping in the rise of a morning
Awakening to a new reality
Inviting you to experience something new
Love is the smell of roses
Subtle yet strong and powerful enough to brighten your day after smelling
Love tastes like an apple
It can sometimes be bitter, but usually sweet
It is an essential nutrient to life
Love feels like a warm hug
It fills you with happiness to the touch
Love moves like the blood through the veins in your body
Fueling every part of you and pushing you through life

 

What is Success?

What is success?
Is it the big mansion and the shiny sports cars?
Is it the millions in the bank and the shirt and tie?
Or is it finding yourself?
Is it reaching a goal that you long struggled for?
Is it doing what you want without caring about what others will say?
Breaking the barrier of society that wants you to
Walk a fine line without stepping out.
A line set by the followers and not the leaders.
Success is being the owner of your thoughts and values
Which you guard with your sharp sword,
Without letting society push you to fit in.

New Vision for New America: A Teacher’s Testimony

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A testimonial we received from New America School teacher Brian Sleevi after Art from Ashes worked with his students in a series of workshops throughout the 2015-2016 school year. 

Art from Ashes joined my creative writing class twice a week during the 2015-16 school year. It was a joy turning the corner from the teachers’ lounge every Monday and Wednesday to find a line of students back early from lunch, eager to get to class for the workshops. For many students, this was the highlight of their day, and the most common student feedback was: “Art from Ashes brings positive energy into the classroom.” Students not only enjoyed themselves and grew emotionally during AfA, but also saw academic gains in language arts as a result.

I maintained an almost identical course to my other section of creative writing, and students in the AfA group performed similarly (if not better) and produced as much (if not more) than the other group, in only 50 percent of the class days. In fact, during the second quarter, 27 of the 28 students enrolled in the AfA class completed a final exam. During the fourth quarter, 100 percent of the students enrolled took a final exam, with 10 receiving an ‘A’. This is astounding considering that, on average, only about 60-75 percent of students in my other classes complete final exams, and very few earn an ‘A’.

Behavior improved, too. Students who generally need constant stimulation or attention were able to be respectful members of a community during the workshops, perhaps for the first time in their academic lives. Because of the classroom community AfA helped us build, my relationships with students, and their relationships with each other, were enhanced. My students and I became better writers, better citizens, and a better team thanks to the transformative work done by AfA’s skilled, caring facilitators.

It was of invaluable benefit having two hours a week to write alongside my students. I learned more about their lives and motivations by seeing them collaborate and express themselves creatively. I also learned from Courtney Chandler, the guest facilitators, and the guest poets. They all have a unique and thoughtful way of engaging our kids, and I’ve become a better teacher by watching them work.

Art from Ashes has become an integral part of the culture at New America School–Thornton. The buzz it generates among students radiates beyond fourth period creative writing and into the hallways and other classrooms. Also, AfA has been instrumental in helping to create a culture of creative expression at NAS through its support of our performance events. The light, joy, and art that AfA brought into our school this year has been immeasurably impactful on our students and on our school community.

Running of the Gays: Hoofin’ it in Heels for LGBTQ Youth

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ROTG posterEvery year, before summer gives way to autumn, Art from Ashes, together with the entire community, holds its annual event, Running of the Gays (ROTG). ROTG is a three-block “marathon” in high heels to raise money for creative programs that support LGBTQ+ youth. This year, we will don our heels burdened with thoughts of tragedies like that at Pulse Nightclub, and our countries continued efforts to bury the rights of the queer community—a sobering reminder of the reason we’re running. 

LGBTQ+ youth face bigotry, discrimination and even hatred in their everyday lives. How we as choose to answer defines us; it sends a message to those who struggle because of their sexual identity, and it sends a message back to our community and world.

Here are some messages the world has sent us:

  • gay and lesbian youth are two to three times more likely to commit suicide than other youth
  • 30% of all youth suicides are related to issues of sexual identity.
  • 45% of gays and 20% of lesbians have experienced verbal harassment and/or physical violence during school as a result of sexual orientation
  • 26% of gay and lesbian youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts with their families over sexual identity.

These statistics echo in the backs of our heads every year as we put on this event. At Art from Ashes, we believe that every person IS a creative genius, which means that the depths to a person’s inner-self is vaster and wider than judgments made by society. Running of the Gays is meant to be a campy celebration of individual expression, yet the implications still remain quite serious. The money raised during this event goes directly to support the programs that have been nourishing our community’s youth for 13 years.

Art from Ashes grows and flourishes when it is part of a larger discussion. So talk to us. Join the conversation. AfA believes that telling all youth, and particularly those struggling with abuse, bullying, despair and homelessness that they matter and that they are loved is one of the most important messages we can send. But we need the feedback and support of the community for that message to be heard. Express how you feel, connect yourself with the community as we strive to do, and let’s transform together.

Register for this year’s Running of the Gays here

Donate to this year’s Running of the Gays here

A Facilitator’s Karmic Transformation

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MJI found Art from Ashes when I was in a very dark place. I was undergoing my own personal transformation and felt like I had to do something outside of myself to keep moving forward. My application to volunteer with AfA was a blind attempt at paying back the karmic debt I felt I’d accrued. Little did I know how serendipitous that decision would prove to be.

I expressed my interest in facilitating in the Phoenix Rising program immediately. I’ve always loved language and believed in its power. I wanted to do whatever I could to help others realize that rock bottom is a great place to transform your life. I participated in the adult workshop and absolutely loved it. I found clarity and peace surrounding issues that once tormented me. I live my life differently today because of that workshop. My story is MINE. This knowledge is empowering. I feel no pressure to create a story that will impress you or anyone else, because I now know that my truth has nothing to do with someone else’s view of the world.

After the conclusion of the adult workshop, I began my journey as a co-facilitator. My first workshops were in a charter school in downtown Denver. The youth showed me honesty and courage. As a facilitator, I created the space, and in return, the youth gave me the gift of their stories. That’s the stuff that sustains and excites me. It’s hard to describe the magic that takes place when young people feel safe enough to connect and express themselves. The curriculum is brilliant, and each young person makes it their own. I am forever touched by the words shared in the workshops I’ve been a part of.

I love my life today. I love AfA and the open arms they showed me when I was broken. I personally experienced the expression, connection and transformation this organization fosters. I am so incredibly blessed to approach every workshop, drop-in and event as an opportunity to give back what was so freely given to me.

– MJ Smart, Art from Ashes Facilitator

Youngest Youth Poet

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by Noa Stroop, volunteer

ChristianOn a warm Tuesday afternoon, Christian sat taping his knuckles for boxing practice. At 11 years old, he likes playing football, walking around the neighborhood, and playing computer games. And like many boys his age, Christian just wasn’t big on poetry.
After hearing how much fun the art of expression was from buzz at school, Christian, always open-minded, started attending Art from Ashes workshops in November of 2015. What he was looking for was undetermined, but what he found was connection. He walked in the door and immediately began making friends, some of whom attended his school, unbeknownst to him at the time. He began using pen and paper to understand the value of expression, explaining “It help get rid of the bad vibes!” And according to his mom, the workshops also improved his social skills tremendously.
But the most significant of the values Christian has learned from AfA is, as he explains, “All kids’ lives are different, but we are all raw equals.” That’s a pretty perceptive statement for an 11-year-old. Or anyone, for that matter!
Not only has AfA inspired a new appreciation for fine arts in the young athlete, these workshops have opened Christian’s eyes to a concept that youth and adults seem to struggle with: We are all human. We are all different. Yet, we have more in common than we know.