We’re honored by the incredible support of our sponsors, whose generosity ensures that The Art of We: Can Dance If We Want To remains completely free of charge and fully accessible!
Because of commitment of these amazing partners, anyone can attend the annual celebration and fundraiser, and every dollar raised will go directly to Upstream Art’s transformational work. Together, we are changing mindsets about ability and disability.
Join us on Monday, May 20, 2019 at Bauhaus Brew Labs to share in the creation of a joyful, choice-filled inclusive world!
Click here to register for a free ticket today.
Read on for highlights on our premier sponsors: The Graham Smith Team; Lifeworks, Inc.; MSS; and Youth Frontiers.
The Graham Smith Team of Keller Williams Realty
Graham Smith is a long-time friend and supporter who has made a remarkable commitment. For every house bought or sold, The Graham Smith Team donates $50 to Upstream Arts. This has resulted in an incredible impact over the years!
As The Graham Smith Team strongly believes in integrity, quality customer service, and the importance of doing business with likeminded organizations, we’re honored that they have chosen to support Upstream Arts in this generous way.
We love the idea that by buying your dream home, you can positively impact the dreams of others, supporting work that activates and amplifies the voice and choice of individuals with disabilities.
If you or someone you know is looking for a new home, learn more by visiting The Graham Smith Team website.
Lifeworks Services
We’re honored to have partnered with Lifeworks Services on arts programming since our inception!
Founded by parents of children with disabilities in 1965, Lifeworks Services now provides support to over 2,500 individuals with disabilities and their families in the Twin Cities and Mankato areas. Through fiscal support, employment, and day services, Lifeworks works towards a community where people with disabilities are more broadly valued, have greater opportunities for employment, and participate in ordinary activities.
You can learn more about how Lifeworks Services expands voice and choice alongside the people they serve at http://www.lifeworks.org.
MSS
Through day training and habilitation, vocational services, arts programs, and more, MSS provides individualized approaches and support to people with intellectual and physical disabilities to help them reach their personal goals and achieve their full potential. With six facilities spread over the metro area, MSS programs nurture confidence, vitality and creativity in everyone.
It was with MSS that Upstream Arts first piloted The Art of Voice & Choice program, and we’re grateful for their partnership.
Learn more about MSS at their website, www.mwsservices.org.
Youth Frontiers
Working in over a dozen states, Youth Frontiers offers retreats focused on social-emotional wellness, partnering with schools to reach kids at critical ages from elementary through high school. These retreats, which include themes of Kindness, Respect and Courage, intentionally foster self-awareness, community, and empathy in students in order to build community, reduce bullying, and increase inclusivity.
For more information on the transformative retreats that Youth Frontiers offers, visit their website at www.youthfrontiers.org.
We’re full of gratitude for our full circle of sponsors, which includes Yess Yoga; Ergodyne Tenacious Work Gear; Pharos Employee Benefits; Merrick, Inc.; Partnership Resources, Inc.; Highland Friendship Club; Two Bettys Green Cleaning; Wallace Carlson Printing; The Wedge Community Co-op; Wild Rumpus Books for Young Readers; and Jason W. Bucklin Photography.
Yess Yoga
A Minneapolis-based studio, Yess Yoga embraces inclusion and connection through community-focused classes that value body inclusivity and celebration of the inner strength that can come along with moving your body. Their thoughtful classes envision yoga as something everyone can access. With classes ranging from Vinyasa, Yin, and Slow Flow, to Hatha, Restorative and Curvy yoga, Yess Yoga offers an easy entrance to all types of yoga for all types of people.
For a full class calendar and more information, visit their website: www.yessyogastudio.com
Ergodyne Tenacious Work Gear
Headquartered in St Paul, Minnesota, since 1983, Ergodyne Tenacious Work Gear has been developing products that promote safety and injury prevention on the job. They strive to “Make the Workplace a Betterplace” through their top of the line gear that defends against accidents and the elements.
Ergodyne is committed to investing in the arts, education, and health communities; we’re honored to have them in our corner.
Learn more at their website: https://www.ergodyne.com/
Pharos Employee Benefits
Founded by Lisa Scamehorn, Pharos Employee Benefits helps companies (including Upstream Arts) navigate the changing tides of employee benefits, approaching every customer with concierge-level service.
Named after one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the famous lighthouse Pharos of Alexandria, Scamehorn’s company acts as a beacon, evaluating employee benefits based on cost and alignment with company culture. Pharos engages employees in fully understanding their benefits and protects businesses by helping them stay in line with critical regulatory obligations.
Learn more about Pharos Employee Benefits at their website: http://www.pharoseb.com.
Merrick, Inc.
Merrick, Inc., has proudly provided life enrichment activities and employment support for adults with intellectual disabilities in the Northeastern Twin Cities since 1964. As wayfinders, they connect individuals, businesses, and our greater community.
Merrick offers a mix of day training and habilitation services, supported employment services, and adult day services for more than 375 clients. As the largest provider of their kind in Ramsey County, Merrick has a 50-year history of leadership in person-centered planning, meaningful work options, operational excellence, and continuous innovation. We’re honored to partner with them regularly.
Learn more at their website, www.merrickinc.org.
Highland Friendship Club
Highland Friendship Club is a Minnesota non-profit that provides opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities to develop meaningful friendships with persons of all abilities as well as connect with their wider community. Upstream Arts has partnered with HFC for many programs, including an upcoming Art of Me performance in July.
Highland Friendship Club encourages individuals to pursue their interests and form lasting relationships based in acceptance and mutual respect with a goal of improving overall wellness through inquisitive social engagement and community support.
Learn more via their website: www.highlandfriendshipclub.org
Partnership Resources Inc.
Partnership Resources, Inc. is a non-profit that advocates for adults with disabilities through encouraging personal creativity, unity through diversity, and the individual’s right to personal decision-making. With the belief that each and every individual has unique potential for community contribution, Partnership Resources Inc. offers person-centered vocational coaching to help participants find positions that align with their needs and goals as well as day programs that encourage individualized participation in community life. We’ve been honored to partner with PRI for many years.
For more information about Partnership Resources, Inc., visit their website: https://www.partnershipresources.org.
Two Bettys Green Cleaning
Two Bettys Green Cleaning Service provides high-quality eco-friendly green cleaning to residential and commercial clients in the Twin Cities. Locally-based and woman-owned, they provide a unique brand of individualized and exceptional service.
In addition to their dedication to social enterprise and living green, the importance of the arts is built into their business model. Many Two Bettys cleaners are artists themselves and are given the freedom and compensation to pursue and sustain their own artistic practices.
Learn more about Two Bettys via their website: https://www.twobettysclean.com/
Wild Rumpus Books for Young Readers
Wild Rumpus, voted 2017 Bookstore of the Year by Publishers Weekly, is a place that celebrates young storytellers and all those young at heart. They have a clear sense of fun, exploration, and inclusivity. In addition to being an unusual bookstore in that they can boast of live animal residents, Wild Rumpus also works with outrageously talented storytellers and illustrators, some of whom have visited the classrooms where we work.
For more information about Wild Rumpus, visit their website: https://www.wildrumpusbooks.com.
Jason W. Bucklin Photography
Jason Bucklin is an independent photographer who has captured numerous beautiful images of our community, ranging from previous annual events to The Art of Me performances.
With his eye for dynamic moments and passion for inclusivity, we’re honored to have Jason documenting our annual celebration and fundraiser once again.
Wallace Carlson Printing
Wallace Carlson is about people all working towards a common goal – the creation and delivery of the finest printing and marketing services available anywhere. They are a woman-owned business with over 80 years of history, built on exceeding the expectations of organizations large and small.
Huge thanks to Wallace Carlson for producing our table tents and other event signage.
Learn more at their website: https://wallacecarlson.com
The Wedge Community Co-Op / Twin Cities Co-Op Partners
The Wedge Community Co-op is a grocery store, café, catering company, wholesale distributor, and sustainable food leader whose mission is to provide access to real food for its community. With the Wedge Table and Linden Hills Co-Op, they comprise Twin Cities Co-Op Partners.
The Twin Cities Co-Op Partners have been supportive of Upstream Arts in various ways over the years; this year Upstream Arts was the recipient of the Change Matters program in January.
For more information about The Wedge Community Co-op, Wedge Table, and Linden Hills Co-op , visit their website: https://tccp.coop
Be sure to RSVP to The Art of We: Can Dance If We Want To on May 20. Join us at Bauhaus Brew Labs from 6-9pm to celebrate, immerse yourself in Upstream Arts activities, and fundraise for another year of innovate work. Thanks to these generous sponsors, the event is free to attend!
Claim your spot – Click here to RSVP!
In addition to free fun arts activities, there will be several pay-to-play opportunities and lots of great prizes! Be sure to bring cash and be ready to win.
Click here to see the Summer in the Cities Prize Package for the Heads and Tails game.