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Posts Tagged ‘non-profits’
Our Talent Gives Back to Local Non-Profit Working Bikes
5/18/2011 8:03 PM By Julia Shiplett
We at Artisan feel very fortunate to do what we love with passionate people every day. That’s why we value opportunities to give back to organizations that improve the world we live in and proudly represent talent that share this sentiment.
As the brainchild of Designer Atom Groom, Our Digital Gift has evolved into an annual collaborative donation that grants a worthy not-for-profit organization in Chicago or Northwest Indiana with professional design and development services. Although often the most deserving of marketing efforts to raise awareness and leverage opportunities, non-profit organizations usually do not have the means for investment. However, we are pleased to announce this year’s grant recipient is Working Bikes, a cooperative that restores used and discarded bicycles to be sold and donated locally in order to raise money for international distribution.
Our very own Talent Representative Suzanne Shannon has actively volunteered with Working Bikes for a number of years now to help provide transportation to people from Guatemala all the way to Ghana. Atom and his team were inspired by the organization’s humble resources and big commitment – out of a small storefront on Western Avenue, Working Bikes makes a global impact by shipping bikes to second and third-world countries so others can become independently mobile. This can make the difference between having a job and providing food and clean water for your family.
As a tribute to their hard work, Our Digital Gift will be providing professional identity package such as a new logo, business cards and letterhead in addition to a new website with valuable content management tools installed. Written content and a social media presence will also empower Working Bikes by leveraging a stronger platform for communication and participation.
As Atom put it, if his team can offer Working Bikes more recognition to continue their work, then the organization can provide even more bicycles in more countries. “If that doesn’t make your neck tingle and your heart glow, I don’t know what would.… Just knowing in our hearts and minds that we are making a difference through our talents in this world is amazing.”
If you would like to learn more about opportunities with Working Bikes, please check here for volunteer and donation opportunities.
If you would like to contribute your design and/or development skills to Our Digital Gift, please check here for ways to get involved.
Visual AIDS: An Artistic Benefit
1/5/2009 4:00 PM By Sharon PotschWill you be attending this year's Postcards from the Edge benefit? This charity recognizes and promotes AIDS awareness while assisting artists and the community. Postcards from the Edge features postcard-sized artwork created by established and emerging artists. Artisan's talent representative from the New York office, Christina Mazurowski, will be there along with her postcard available for purchase. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the work of Visual AIDS. We are proud to support Christina's participation in this event and wish both Christina and the event much success. Details about the event can be found on the Visual AIDS website.
ABS Graphics Added $5,000 To The Award
11/12/2008 10:47 AM By Sharon PotschABS Graphics is a Chicago-area company that has decided to contribute an additional $5,000 toward printing costs for the winning non-profit organization! This company has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Artisan, and has stepped up to support the "Match That Gives Back" creative competition with their generous donation.
Serving the area for over 30 years, ABS Graphics is an integrated marketing, communications and print media company that has designed many award-winning brochures, annual reports and magazines. Their many areas of expertise include direct mail and marketing collateral, among other things, and they have spearheaded projects for various clients large and small.
Again, the donation by ABS Graphics helps to underscore how having good connections in the industry can be beneficial. Artisan has worked hard to earn their reputation, and the formation of long-term relationships is something that can't be underestimated when it comes to business. We'd like to send out our sincere thanks to ABS Graphics for their generous donation and continued support.
ABS Graphics: (l-r) Seve Vanderveen and Brad Burker
Photograph by Nick Gerber
Top Three Finalist: Art Start
10/6/2008 8:18 PM By Catherine TArtStart is among the top three finalists that have been selected to compete for the $20,000 "Match that Gives Back" Award.
ArtStart has been around since 1988, and they are dedicated to providing artistic educational opportunities for both children and adults. These projects focus on the connection between humans and their environment. Programming includes work with homeless, sheltered and street youth. ArtStart tries to provide a creative outlet that is both educational and relaxing for them.
Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, this non-profit organization holds a variety of programs.
Here are just a couple of examples:
- The ArtScraps Creative Materials Reuse Store. The ArtScraps location at 1459 St. Clair Ave. provides a place for teachers, parents, artists and others to find and recycle materials that would otherwise be discarded in a landfill.
- ArtStart's interdisciplinary summer arts camp. This program is designed for youth that are between 4-12 years of age. It allows them to really experience the art and culture of African, Latino, Asian and other cultures. This program has been around for 15 years.
- ArtStart also has artist residencies, workshops and evening poetry readings among its many offerings.
We'd like to congratulate them on being a finalist for our "Match that Gives Back" Award!
Our Sponsors
10/1/2008 8:51 PM By Catherine TMost large-scale events receive a good deal of help from sponsors, and we can say with the utmost confidence that ours are helping to make this celebration spectacular!
Four amazing companies have stepped up and signed on for the ride, and have helped Artisan make this evening possible. So, who are these organizations? Let's have a quick look:
- Creativity. This unique publication covers the best of creative culture with information and features on a wide variety of people, companies and ideas.
- River East Art Center. This wonderful Chicago venue is the location of the November 6th event.
- ABS Graphics. Another local company in the creative field who have signed on to support the "Match that Gives Back" award.
- Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois has given us access to the talents of one of the nation's finest Master Mixologists, Bridget Albert.
Each of these sponsors has joined in to help us celebrate 20 years of business in the industry. They have also been enthusiastic about supporting the "Match that Gives Back" creative competition. We at Artisan have always been big believers in teamwork, and as you can see, this event is no exception. We just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to those who have helped to make this event possible.
The Talent: Top Ten Finalists
10/1/2008 8:45 PM By Catherine TClients aren't the only thing that gets attention at Artisan; talent does as well. Part of the reason behind Artisan's success in matching clients with just the right talent is that founder, Bejan Douraghy, has always made them both a priority. Artisan's based on the idea that both are worthy of attention. This attitude has helped us become one of the most successful organizations of its kind today.
Because of this unique approach, Artisan has consistently attracted people from the top tier of creative talent in the industry. Take a look at the finalists for this competition here: http://www.artisantalent.com/match-that-gives-back/
All ten of them are amazing in their own right. A mixture of art directors, designers, copywriters and more, the finalists represent the best talent around!
When you take a look at the "Match That Gives Back" event, it is really centered around the central idea of how Artisan operates as a company. Linking together the best organizations with the perfect match for them in terms of talent. Although the evening will certainly be doing things on a grand scale, it is really just another example of what goes on at Artisan every day.
Drinks Anyone? Meet Master Mixologist Bridget Albert
10/1/2008 8:39 PM By Catherine THave you ever heard of a "Pink Squirrel" or a "Raspberry Rickey?" These colorful names are code for delicious – and unique – cocktails. Of course, these particular drinks are also a bit outdated, but you can tell by their names that they are not the regular, average fare when it comes to beverages.
You may wonder why information about unusual drinks is appearing on Artisan's site when we are supposed to be filling you in on our competition and upcoming event…
Well, the big news is that Master Mixologist Bridget Albert is creating a special cocktail–just for our November 6th celebration! Bridget has recently worked with the Art Institute, creating a cocktail program for its restaurant and catering business. Employed by Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois, Bridget is a nationally known mixologist with many impressive credits to her name. She recently co-authored a book titled Market Fresh Mixology, and has been garnering a lot of buzz for her unique cocktail creations. It should be interesting to see what she puts together for Artisan! You can read more about Bridget here: http://www.talesofthecocktail.com/2008/view_person.php?person=6
Not many events can boast their own cocktail, much less one that is made by a well-respected mixologist. We've covered every detail of this evening, so that it reflects the care and attention we are known for when it comes to representing both our clients and our talent.
Top Three Finalist: Snow City Arts
10/1/2008 8:26 PM By Catherine TSnow City Arts is a Chicago-based non-profit organization that helps teach hospitalized children a variety of arts during the time that they are not in school. Various workshops are given seven days a week in things such as:
- Creative writing
- Music
- Film making
- Painting
Photography
This top-three finalist for the "Match that Gives Back" Award was founded in 1998, and brings programs to over 1,500 hospitalized children each year. Pairing learning with healing, Snow City Arts helps to fill the gap in education that is created when children miss school due to a hospital stay. There is also an after care program that encourages children to continue growing and honing the skills they have developed through the on-site program.
The core programs provided by Snow City Arts include creative writing and music as well as a host of visual arts. Art history, digital photography, drawing and computer-aided art are all examples of visual arts that are offered through the organization. Snow City Arts has partnered with many local facilities, including Rush Children's Hospital, Children's Memorial Hospital and Columbia College Chicago; to name just a few.
Congratulations to Snow City Arts on being named a finalist for the "Match That Gives Back" award!
Top Three Finalist: Free Arts NYC
10/1/2008 8:23 PM By Catherine TFree Arts NYC is another non-profit that has made the top three finalists for the “Match that Gives Back” award. Based in New York, the organization has dedicated themselves to providing educational arts programs and mentoring to under-served families and children. Here's a quick look at their four core programs:
- Free Arts Days. These day-long "festivals" of art pair children with volunteers for the opportunity to explore a variety of arts. Subjects are based upon changing themes.
- Weekly Mentor Program. This program provides support and guidance for at risk youth from 6 to 18 years of age. Volunteer mentors work with youth to create and discuss art projects in an effort to build self-esteem and develop positive relationships.
- Cultural Enrichment. This program exposes children and families to a wide range of cultural experiences, including things such as a Martha Graham dance performance, a violin concert at Merkin Hall and The International Film Festival at the Brooklyn Museum.
- Parents and Children Together with Art Program (PACT). This eight-week, theme-based program allows families to work together on a variety of art projects.
- Free Arts NYC has served over 22,000 children and families through these and other programs.
We congratulate them on their inclusion as a top three finalist for the Artisan’s “Match that Gives Back” award!
Have you Heard of the River East Art Center?
10/1/2008 8:12 PM By Catherine TAre you familiar with the River East Arts Center? The Arts Center is a cultural gem located right downtown.
Artisan's “Match That Gives Back” will be held at the River East Art Center; a completely unique space that is well-suited for such a special evening. The award-winning backdrop for the night features fantastic scenery that includes water views and two story ceilings. But it doesn't stop there. Located at 435 E. Illinois Street, between Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, River East Art Center is truly a sight to behold. It's classy, interesting and artistic, all at the same time. This impressive space includes a 60-foot indoor waterfall and fabulous mother-of-pearl inlay terrazzo floors. We needed just the right setting for our event, and since this space has such an artistic design, we knew it would be just perfect.
River East Art Center was named "Best of 2007" by Illinois Meetings and Events Magazine, and it is easy to see why. There many wonderful spaces in the Chicago area, but the contemporary, sophisticated design of the Center reflects the type of atmosphere we felt would mesh perfectly with our event. After all, we are celebrating 20 years and playing "matchmaker" with some amazing people and organizations.
