Nearly $900 Raised for Art Supplies to Support YSS of Marshall County
Dring the month of June, in honor of their 16th anniversary, the Arts & Culture Alliance partnered with YSS of Marshall County to raise funds for art supplies to support art therapy through their foster care and therapy services. Since March, YSS has seen a 75% increase in therapy cases due to an increase in anxiety, stress and fear from COVID-19. The goal was to raise $316 for art supplies during the month of June and the community’s support far exceed our goal by raising nearly $900.
“We were blown away by the incredible support of the community towards this amazing cause. It is an honor to partner with such an amazing local organization who has a significant impact on our youth in Marshall County. Since this was such a huge success, we are already thinking about making it an annual occurrence.” said Alliance Executive Director, Amber Danielson.
YSS’s Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP) program participants are excited to utilize a portion of the funds for an opportunity to shop for their own art supplies to be used during their activity time with YSS. This is an opportunity some of them normally don’t have a chance to experience. Program Participant Josie says, “being artistic to me means that I can be creative and make a change.”
Many of the youth in AMP, are experiencing new homes or school settings due to foster placement and having an artistic outlet can be a safe way to express their emotions. Due to YSS’s rapid growth in behavioral health, they will be hiring an additional in-home counselor and anticipate the art supplies to be utilized in-home and in-office.
YSS of Marshall County Director, David Hicks, says, “art is an important contributor to the well-being of communities. It is a powerful tool to develop a person’s sense of self, to be a creative learner, and to connect with others. YSS believes in positive youth development and to create opportunities where our young people are heard and respected. Art is a great medium to tell their story. YSS of Marshall County will use the art created by our youth to adorn the hallways and offices of our workspace for years to come.”
Full Press Release
YSS of Marshall County's Facebook Page & Website
“We were blown away by the incredible support of the community towards this amazing cause. It is an honor to partner with such an amazing local organization who has a significant impact on our youth in Marshall County. Since this was such a huge success, we are already thinking about making it an annual occurrence.” said Alliance Executive Director, Amber Danielson.
YSS’s Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP) program participants are excited to utilize a portion of the funds for an opportunity to shop for their own art supplies to be used during their activity time with YSS. This is an opportunity some of them normally don’t have a chance to experience. Program Participant Josie says, “being artistic to me means that I can be creative and make a change.”
Many of the youth in AMP, are experiencing new homes or school settings due to foster placement and having an artistic outlet can be a safe way to express their emotions. Due to YSS’s rapid growth in behavioral health, they will be hiring an additional in-home counselor and anticipate the art supplies to be utilized in-home and in-office.
YSS of Marshall County Director, David Hicks, says, “art is an important contributor to the well-being of communities. It is a powerful tool to develop a person’s sense of self, to be a creative learner, and to connect with others. YSS believes in positive youth development and to create opportunities where our young people are heard and respected. Art is a great medium to tell their story. YSS of Marshall County will use the art created by our youth to adorn the hallways and offices of our workspace for years to come.”
Full Press Release
YSS of Marshall County's Facebook Page & Website
Marshalltown Central Business District Coloring Page - Marshall the Bee
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In partnership with the Marshalltown Central Business District, the Alliance commissioned local artist, Missy Sharer, to create a custom coloring page featuring Marshalltown's Historic Downtown and Marshall the Bee!
Learn more about the MCBD: www.marshalltownmainstreet.org 
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Window Art in the 13th Street District
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The Arts & Culture Alliance and 13th Street District have partnered to bring vibrant window art to the District. The Alliance is thrilled to continue to celebrate and amplify the arts during these uncertain times by providing the community with hope and inspiration. Participating local artist, Kayla McGehee, said “it’s easy right now to feel disconnected. Projects like these remind you that you are a part of a greater whole”.
The Alliance is committed to providing opportunities to connect the community to arts and culture on a regular basis, in unique and creative ways. “We highly value partnerships with local organizations to support and promote the arts in our community. We believe we are stronger together and we are continuously in awe of the creative organizations and individuals we have in this community. Additionally, we are dedicated to supporting, engaging and amplifying our local artists”, stated Alliance Executive Director, Amber Danielson. Businesses in the District have been connected with a local artist to create temporary window art displays. The artwork will be vibrant, inspirational and thank our essential workers during this time. The hope is to have the project completed over the next few weeks as our community starts the process of lifting restrictions and re-opening. Full Press Release Times Republican Article |
Participating Businesses and Artists
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Masking Marshalltown Challenge
Our Marshalltown Police Department leading by example in the #MaskingMarshalltown Challenge!
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Winner of the Masking Marshalltown Challenge. The most creative mask went to, Kelly Schwartz
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Marshalltown Icons Coloring Contest
The Alliance, in partnership with the Times Republican and local artists, created a coloring contest of Marshalltown Pride Points!
Here are links to printable copies:
Here are links to printable copies:
Joe Casey, Orphem
Missy Sharer, MHS Round House
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Michelle Illum, 13th Street District
Julie Bousum, Court House
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Meet the 2019 Iowa Artist Fellows - virtually held on April 23rd, 2020
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• Ange Altenhofen is a sculptor, performance artist, costume designer and illustrator diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition whose artwork considers how blind people experience art and process visual information.
• Scott Bradley is an Iowa-born writer, performer and stage director, whose work includes We Three Lizas (book/lyrics), Alien Queen, Carpenters Halloween, Mollywood, Tran: The Atari Musical, and regular cabaret engagements. • Matthew Kluber's work explores the realm between the physical world and the virtual world, illuminating traditional paintings with digital projections that enliven the works with an element of time and code-derived content. • Rachel Merrill is an interdisciplinary artist exploring themes of spectacle, American sports and competition as they relate to motherhood and the feminine. • Amenda Tate is a visual artist who works in the intersection between painting and science, using the robotic painting device "Manibus" to address identity, individuality, longevity and the culture of social interaction in a digital era. |
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