About: High-quality art education, collaborative creative spaces and opportunities for artistic growth and professional development

Our Mission: We inspire, nurture, connect, and attract a diverse community of art makers and art enthusiasts by providing accessible, high-quality art education, collaborative creative spaces, and opportunities for artistic growth and professional development. We are committed to fostering inclusion, supporting the artist within all of us, and celebrating the transformative power of art.

Vision: We create a community where making and appreciating art are recognized as fundamental for individual and community well-being.

Values: Artistic Development and Education We will provide skill development and continuous learning to empower art makers at all levels and tap into the artist within each of us. We will provide opportunities for artists to hone their craft through formal classes, workshops, and informal studio spaces. High-quality instruction is essential. Our teachers will be not only skilled artists but also effective communicators, capable of fostering a positive learning environment. Valuing artists’ time and work by offering competitive compensation, professional development, and support is critical. We will serve as a stepping stone for new and emerging visual artists, providing opportunities to showcase work, build a portfolio, and advance their creative journey.

Community and Collaboration We will create an organization known for connecting the local and regional arts community while attracting artists from across the nation. It is essential that we provide space where new, emerging, and seasoned artists meet, share, critique and collaborate in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Partnerships with other organizations within and outside of the arts will be critical for establishing our organization as a community hub. We will encourage creative experiences that pair art with other subject areas to engage new audiences, deepen learning opportunities, expand connections for art makers, and elevate the role of art in the community.

Accessibility and Inclusion We will create a space that is open and welcoming to all, regardless of background, age, or skill level. It is important that we reach diverse demographics, including minority groups, youth and senior audiences, and those with limited access to art making and appreciation. Developing mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations serving diverse groups and eliminating financial barriers to art access will be essential to fulfilling our mission.

WORKSHOPS

Location: 1201 Locust St, Dubuque, IA 52001