Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Anton.
Hi Kara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From a young age, I was immersed in a creative environment, thanks to my parents. Their support fostered my curiosity for tackling challenges, creating, problem-solving, and connecting dots. I was encouraged to make the power of independent thinking, imagination, and creativity a part of my daily life. Carl Jung posed, “What did you do as a child that made the hours pass like minutes? Herein lies the key to your earthly pursuits.” Art was always my first love. Although I didn’t initially envision myself as an entrepreneur, my passion for art combined with my strong belief in helping others led me to found Give Kids Art, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free art supplies and arts programming to underserved youth populations. Inspired from my childhood joys and experiences, I embarked on a journey to ignite creative exploration and self-expression in young minds and hearts.
Today, Give Kids Art stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment, driven by a relentless commitment to nurturing the innate creativity and resilience of children. Through art, we strive to cultivate a safe and supportive environment where children can embrace their uniqueness, express their emotions, and unlock their boundless potential.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While my personal path and journey with Give Kids Art has been incredibly rewarding, it hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the main struggles I experienced was personally facing periods of self-doubt and societal pressures that resulted in stifling my own creativity. Those experiences as an adolescent later influenced the development of Give Kids Art. Upon reflection, I had to overcome being educated out of my artistic creativity. It’s common, especially around the ages of 7-10 years old, when we start to learn “right” from “wrong” and we begin comparing and questioning ourselves. To echo Pablo Picasso’s words that inspired our mission, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
As an adult, I made it my mission to inspire others to create fearlessly. Today, “Create Fearlessly” is not only my personal motto but also our inspiring slogan for Give Kids Art. Additionally, navigating the complexities of starting a nonprofit, especially without significant funding and during a global pandemic, presented its own set of obstacles. However, amidst the trials and tribulations, the unwavering support of our community and the sheer determination to fulfill our mission propelled us forward. Each obstacle became an opportunity for growth and learning, reaffirming our commitment to empowering children through the transformative power of art.
As you know, we’re big fans of Give Kids Art. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Give Kids Art is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to igniting creative exploration and self-expression in underserved children through free art supplies and art programming. Our mission is to help children develop stronger self-awareness, self-compassion, and creative self-care practices that they can carry with them throughout their lives. We partner with other nonprofits, like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to offer free in-person or virtual after-school art programming as well as one-time workshops. What sets us apart is our deliberate focus on social-emotional growth through engaging art activities that expose children to a variety of visual arts mediums. Our curriculum is also process-based, which means we prioritize the creative journey over the end product, which allows our artists to flourish.
I am most proud of our unwavering dedication to providing free art supplies and programming in a safe and supportive environment to children in need. Give Kids Art is not just about creating art; it’s about creating a sense of belonging, positive self-worth, community, and infinite possibility for every child we serve.
Any big plans?
Looking ahead, I am incredibly grateful and focused on expanding the reach and impact of Give Kids Art. We plan to continue building strategic partnerships with more nonprofits and institutions to offer free art programs and Art Kits to even more underserved youth, both locally and nationally. Additionally, I am excited about the potential for growth and innovation within the organization. Whether it’s exploring new virtual programming opportunities or developing curriculum enhancements, I am committed to evolving Give Kids Art to better serve the needs of the children we support.
Wherever we go, I look forward to positively impacting the lives of more and more underserved children and witnessing their smiling faces through artistic self-expression and fearless creativity. My goal is to continue advocating for the importance of arts education in promoting social, emotional, and cognitive development and wellness in children.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.givekidsart.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givekidsart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/givekidsart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-kids-art
