Presenting Sponsor The Graham Smith Team of Keller Williams Realty:
Premier and Access Sponsors:
Partner and In-Kind Sponsors:
Jason Bucklin Photography
We’re honored by the incredible support of our sponsors, whose generosity ensures that The Art of We: Are All Connected 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 Wednesday, May 17, 2023 as we reconnect in person at the American Swedish Institute (or meet us online for a livestream via Zoom) to share in the creation of a joyful, connected, inclusive world!
Click here to register for a free ticket today.
Read on for highlights on our Presenting Sponsor, The Graham Smith Team, and our full circle of sponsors:
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.
Huge thanks to our Premier and Access Sponsors: Hamline University; Intersect Financial; Merrick, Inc.; MSS; Pharos Employee Benefits; Pillsbury House Theatre; Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association; and TruStone Financial.
Hamline University
Hamline University has empowered students to make the world better for everyone since 1854. As Minnesota’s first university, they’re still ranked #1 in the state. Today, they continue to educate students of all backgrounds, creating opportunity for all through generous scholarship programs, an inclusive community, and teaching that promotes civility and social justice.
At Hamline, career preparation starts with the first class, ensuring our graduates leave ready with the professional experience and liberal arts foundation for their entire career.
Learn more about Hamline at their website https://www.hamline.edu/
Intersect Financial
Intersect Financial is a wealth management organization founded by Tom Patnode and Roman Hernandez which provides comprehensive financial planning to individuals, families, and businesses, including Upstream Arts! Their team of hard working and loyal individuals believe that listening to their clients builds strong relationships, and they are committed to serving clients throughout their lifetime as they create their financial legacies. Intersect specializes in complete wealth management planning, business transitions and leveraging of qualified retirement plans and they design 401(k) plans for organizations with a focus on effectively recruiting and retaining talent for their workforce.
Learn more about Tom Patnode and Intersect Financial at their website: https://www.northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/tom-patnode/
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.
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.
MSS has partnered with Upstream Arts for many years, and we’re honored by their commitment to our work and shared values.
Learn more about MSS at their website, www.mwsservices.org.
Pharos Employee Benefits
Founded by Lisa Scamehorn, Pharos Employee Benefits helps companies 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.
Pillsbury House + Theatre
Pillsbury House Theatre’s mission is to create challenging theatre that inspires enduring change towards a just society. Through the Mainstage season and other community engagement programs, Pillsbury House Theatre (PHT) illuminates the differences that make each person unique and the similarities that bring people together, within an artistic environment that promotes understanding and leads to positive action.
Learn more about Pillsbury House + Theatre at their website: https://pillsburyhouseandtheatre.org/
Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association
PPNA is a 42-year-old, small-but-mighty community-building nonprofit with a focus on serving South Minneapolis.
Their work involves pursuing creative ways to build connections, sharing relevant community information, and proactively partnering with others to help positively impact key community issues.
The Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association (PPNA) works to enhance the quality of life in the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood by facilitating community engagement, embracing a diversity of voices, and fostering economic and community development.
Learn more about PPNA at their website: https://www.ppna.org/
TruStone Financial
TruStone Financial is a credit union driven to create exceptional financial experiences. It all began with a few teachers and a dream. Back in 1939, eight Minneapolis teachers decided to take control of their own financial security. They formed the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers Credit Union. Over the years the credit union has endured name changes, added field of memberships and expanded across the Midwest. In 2020 a merger with Firefly Credit Union – Minnesota’s first financial cooperative – made TruStone the second-largest credit union in the state.
As a not-for-profit financial institution, TruStone is different from a bank because their members are the owners and profits are returned as competitive rates, higher investment returns and fewer fees.
Learn more about TruStone Financial at their website: https://trustonefinancial.org/
We’re full of gratitude for our partner and in-kind sponsors, which includes Amazeworks, Annex Teen Clinic, Ideal Printers, Jason W. Bucklin Photography, Lotus + Lama, Partnership Resources Inc, and Young Dance.
AmazeWorks
With a mission of championing equity and belonging for all, AmazeWorks uses anti-bias education theory as a model for identity development. They engage people in the process of creating the conditions for belonging by initiating important conversations with each other about identity, differences, bias/prejudice/stereotypes, and what action can be taken against bias-based mistreatment.
For more information about AmazeWorks, visit their website: https://amazeworks.org/
Annex Teen Clinic
The Annex Teen Clinic helps young people take charge of their sexual health by providing confidential health services and education.
The Annex’s vision is to create a community where all young people have the resources and support they need, allowing them to successfully make the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
For more information about Annex Teen Clinic, visit their website: https://annexteenclinic.org/
Ideal Printers
Ideal Printers is an independently, woman, and family-owned commercial printer located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Since 1979, they’ve been providing quality printing, binding, finishing, mailing, and creative services to a variety of local, regional, and national clients. With an experienced and dedicated team, they’re committed to delivering print projects on time and to the highest quality standards, every single time, no matter the size or complexity of the project.
For more information about Ideal Printers, visit their website: https://www.idealprint.com/
Jason W. Bucklin Photography
Jason Bucklin is an independent photographer who has an eye for dynamic moments and a passion for inclusivity. He’s captured numerous beautiful images of Upstream Arts’ community, ranging from previous annual events to The Art of Me performances.
You can find him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonwbucklin/?hl=en
Lotus + Lama
Lotus + Lama, Inc. is an Apple Macintosh (Mac) computer consulting, WordPress website design and development, and online marketing company established in 1995. Martin Thomas works with individuals and businesses in the Twin Cities creative community in Minneapolis – St. Paul, Minnesota and in Fribourg, Switzerland. He also serves clients in other cities via remote log-in, video conferencing, phone and email consultations.
For more information about Lotus + Lama, visit their website: https://www.lotuslama.com/
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.
For more information about Partnership Resources, Inc., visit their website: https://www.partnershipresources.org.
Young Dance
Since 1987, Young Dance has encouraged youth in the community to build body and spirit through the art of dance. Their mission is to transform lives through movement. They are an inclusive community where creativity flourishes, encouraging personal and artistic excellence through diverse forms of dance.
For more information about Young Dance, visit their website: https://youngdance.org/
Be sure to RSVP to The Art of We: Are All Connected on May 17. Join us at the American Swedish Institute 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 a pay-to-play opportunity and lots of great prizes, so bring cash and be ready to win!