2020-822-E Arts Commission-Art Therapy Institute NCCARES grant

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Please explain the impact of your organization on the Orange County community in a typical year. The Art Therapy Institute serv es approximately 650 clients each year throughout the Triangle and Triad regions of NC and two thirds of those clients liv e in Orange County. The majority of our clients liv e at or below the pov erty lev el and without grant funded art therapy, many of these residents would not be able to receiv e mental health serv ices. The best way to understand the impact that the Art Therapy Institute’s serv ices hav e on the clients it serv es in Orange County is to hear it from the clients themselv es. Here are some beautiful testimonials: Personal Communication May 2016, Adolescent Newcomer: “W hen I had art therapy with you, I had a grown up I could go to and talk to, but now that I don't hav e it anymore I just don't know where to go for adv ises. This made me realized how you were such a good part of my middle school years, and how art therapy wasn't just a fun art thing, cause that was how I v iewed it back then, but no! it was a room fill with fun, colors, excitement, and a room where I could find a way to express myself, feelings. It was really helpful to hav e it, mostly with you! so I thank you for it.” 7-year-old refugee student from Burma: “Something you should know about me is I really like art and art is important. Because, like, if you don’t know what’s happening, and you can’t speak the language, you can draw for them, and they will know exactly what you mean. And they will learn. Art is like so important for ev eryone in the world.” Arts and Peer Support Group Member: “Ev ery W ednesday afternoon, I hav e the priv ilege of participating in ATI’s APS group: one hour of sharing and creating art with people impacted by significant mental health conditions. Ev en during coronav irus, we meet – albeit by ZOOM. It is one of my fav orite hours of the week. APS is such an oasis. I don’t need to perform in any way. Don’t need to be particularly creativ e. W e just support each other. Just care for each other. Just affirm the challenges of liv ing with mental health diagnoses. W e understand the weariness that can bring. W e laugh. W e giv e space. My normal spaces are deeply supportiv e. But there can be an ev er-so-innocent, underlying pressure to hav e it all together…to be the prov ider. W ithout doubt, liv ing with bipolar disorder informs my adv ocacy, my approach to my work, my passion. It makes me more insistent on justice and more creativ e in driv e. Sometimes, though, it is a welcome repriev e to soak in the serene space of support. Today is W ednesday, and I am grateful." In addition to prov iding art therapy serv ices, ATI hosts art shows at our office in Carr Mill Mall in conjunction with the 2nd Friday Artwalk. DocuSign Envelope ID: 3B7987D4-AE68-4972-853F-8188A0E8440B