Cultural Art Centers
Cultural Art Centers provide an array of creative opportunities for unique talents to flourish. Better yet, art offers individuals an opportunity to earn money when their art sells — income that many with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities would not have had an opportunity to earn otherwise.
The arts help build confidence, enhance communication, expand our minds, and improve socialization skills. Art can also relieve stress, build fine motor skills, and help us discover untapped talent. Most importantly, it can bring joy to our lives.
By the Numbers
200+
ELS CLIENTS PARTICIPATE IN INITIATIVES
25+
FTEs OVERSEE
THE OPERATION
--
SQUARE FEET OF DEDICATED SPACE
$-k
IN GROSS
REVENUE GENERATED ANNUALLY
Cultural Art Centers
Actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein may have said it best: “Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.”
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If you have ever played a musical instrument, performed on stage, or painted a picture, you know how exhilarating and rewarding it can be. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are no different than most of us in that with a little encouragement and the opportunity to try new things, their lives can be enriched through art.
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Providing art therapy for the people we support at Evergreen Life Services is one of the many worthwhile and proven tools we use to enhance the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. According to the American Art Therapy Association (AARTA), art therapy can help increase focus and attention span, improve brain function, and boost self-esteem. It can also help increase self-awareness and develop healthy and effective coping skills.
We often use art therapy to provide a meaningful outlet for individuals to express their feelings. Creating art can also help ease frustration and instill pride. Art therapy is also used to teach practical daily living skills and vocational training by helping the people we support learn to put supplies away and clean up after themselves.
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Art therapy is a fun way for them to discover new and interesting ways to productively spend their time. They create paintings, jewelry, and a myriad of beautiful pieces. They also receive vocational training and meaningful employment by working with HEAVENDROPt, a social enterprise of Evergreen, that uses official military parachutes to create items such as masks, hammocks, pet bandanas and more. Many of the people we serve are so pleased with their artwork, that they choose to proudly display their unique and original pieces for purchase on our website, which creates meaningful employment and a sense of independence.
Year Launched
Fort Worth, TX – 2011
Dallas, TX – 2016
Sherman, TX – 2016
Texarkana, TX – 2020
Haughton, LA –
Bowling Green, KY –
Location(s)
Fort Worth, TX
Dallas, TX
Sherman, TX
Texarkana, TX
Haughton, LA
Bowling Green, KY
Executive Director
Texarkana – Linda Bailey
Fort Worth, Dallas, and Sherman – Karen Towery
Haughton – Doug Ryland
Bowling Green – Raynard Gant
Contact Person for Initiative
Texarkana – Tim Douglas
Fort Worth – Jerrie Pendley
Dallas – Talisa Green
Sherman – Teresa Berry
Haughton –
Bowling Green –
Overview
We use art therapy to provide a meaningful outlet for individuals to express their feelings. Creating art can also help ease frustration and instill pride. Art therapy is also used to teach practical daily living skills and vocational training by helping the people we support learn to put supplies away and clean up after themselves.
Mission
Individuals Served (approximate)
Over 200 individuals across all centers.
Benefits to Individuals Served
Exploring new hobbies, particularly in the arts, can help build confidence, enhance communication, expand our minds, and improve socialization skills. It can also relieve stress, build fine motor skills, and help us discover untapped talent. Most importantly, it can bring joy to our lives.
Other Benefits to Evergreen Life Services
Information forthcoming.
Revenue Generated (Annually)
Information forthcoming.
Impact
Employee Involvement
Texarkana – 8 full-time employees
Fort Worth – 8 full-time and 2 part-time employees
Dallas – 8 full-time and 2 part-time employees
Sherman – 3 full-time employees
Haughton – information forthcoming.
Bowling Green –information forthcoming.
Volunteers Involved
None.
Executive Director Involvement
Some – details forthcoming.
Direct Supervisor Involvement
Daily
Dedicated Space
Yes, details forthcoming.
Community Partnerships
Texarkana – No
Forth Worth – UTA
Dallas – No
Sherman – No
Haughton – Information forthcoming.
Bowling Green – Information forthcoming.
Grant Support
Information forthcoming.
Restricted Donations
Information forthcoming.
In-kind Donations
Texarkana – Information forthcoming.
Fort Worth – Yes
Dallas – Yes
Sherman – Yes
Haughton – Information forthcoming.
Bowling Green – Information forthcoming.
Subcontracted Space
None
Medicaid Waiver Funds
None
Other Revenue Sources
None
Important To Know
Information forthcoming.