A Note From the Leadership Team of Upstream Arts
Upstream Arts has always been a place for discovery, and a place of practice. It’s been about working together to keep that ball of connection in the air. We existed for exploration. For trying on. For experimentation. For research. For inquiry. For advocacy for, with and alongside our disability community. For creating spaces to really notice each other, to break old patterns of communication, and to learn from each other and about each other.
For 20 years we created small moment after small moment to find new ways to engage with each other, and it was the privilege of a lifetime to dance, sing, write, act, laugh, play, create joy, find true connections, and to grow in the company of such an amazingly creative community of people.
And now, as we close our doors and say goodbye one last time, we invite you to be bold. To take risks. Be curious. Ask questions. Watch. Listen. Notice. And keep being creative – together, upstream.
-The Leadership Team, Julie Guidry, Matt Guidry, and Bree Sieplinga
As we celebrate 20 years and close our doors, we’re reflecting on the last two decades of impact at the intersection of art, learning, and disability. Thank you for collaborating with us at every step of the way.
Click on any of the topics below to read more about the powerful work that we have collectively accomplished over Upstream Arts’ lifespan.
Self-Advocacy Classes
The Art of Me Photography Exhibits
studio ACCESS
Professional Development
Art of Relationships &
Art of Prevention
The Art of Me Performances
Upstream Arts presents…
Beyond Minnesota
By the Numbers
Over the last two decades, we have:
carried out over 2,139 programs,
resulting in 14,271 one-hour sessions,
serving over 45,462 participants,
for 226,337 contact hours,
supported by 1,708 individuals and families,
raising over $1,334,851 in individual donations,
growing from $6,075 in our first year to $128,637 in our last fiscal year.
Together we have made this happen, and each of us will be the ones carrying it forward, one person and one small moment at a time.
Financials
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
SUPPORT AND REVENUE
Foundations: $264,431
Individual/ Corporate Matching: $96,843
Government: $534,357
Program Fees: $221,847
Interest, Inkind & Misc. Income: $7,706
TOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE: $1,125,184
EXPENSES
Program Expenses: $831,987
School Programs $278,687
Adult Programs $443,035
Community Programs $52,376
Professional Development & Artist Training $57,889
Management: $153,042
Fundraising: $85,863
TOTAL EXPENSES: $1,070,892
BALANCE SHEET
As of June 30, 2025
Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents $590,526
Other Assets $11,219
Total Assets $601,745
Liabilities and Net Assets
Current Liabilities $ 230,178
Without Donor Restrictions $159,967
Board Reserve (without Donor restrictions) $100,000
With Donor Restrictions $111,600
Total Liabilities & Net Assets $601,745
Our Supporters
* Founding Donor # Monthy Sustaining Donor
** Sponsorship + includes both 24-25 and 25-26 Fiscal Year
Mississippi River $25,000 and Above
Anonymous (2) +
F.R. Bigelow Foundation +
Genesis Inspiration Foundation +
Stephen Kanee and MaryAnn Lippay Family Fund
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA)
Minnesota State Arts Board
MN Department of Health – Capacity Strengthening Initiative
MN Department of Health – Sexual Violence Prevention Program +
MN Department of Human Services – Disability Services Division +
National Endowment for the Arts
St. Croix River $10,000 – $24,999
Butler Foundation
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Harri Hoffmann Family Foundation
Cannon River $5,000 – $9,999
Anon Charitable Trust
Best Buy Foundation
The Caterpillar Foundation
Ben Mathews and Katie Keenan
Crow River $1,000 – $4,999
Anonymous (3)
Delphine and Michael Barringer-Mills +
Andrew Boyer
Jane and John Cacich
Susan and Allan Carneol # +
Paolo and Diane Fellin +
Chrissy and Peter Fuchs
Thomas and Marilyn Gales *
Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation
Joe and Janet Green * # +
David and Jackie Guidry *
Marcie Guidry *
Amy L Hubbard and Geoffrey J Kehoe Fund +
John and Joan Kaminski
Creighton Larson and Sandra Boling
Mary Gerry Lee
Mall of America Pond Fund
Ann L. Mavis # +
Kenneth Mounger # +
MSS **
James R. Radatz
Reid and Ann Shaw +
The Graham Smith Team, Keller Williams Realty **
Peter Vitale and Stephen Nelson
Archie D. and Bertha H. Walker Foundation
Julie Zbaracki +
Sauk River $500 – $999
Anonymous
David and Joy Baker
Carpenter, Evert and Associates, Ltd. **
Rochelle and Regan Cox # +
Lucas Erickson
Phyllis Genest-Stein
Robin Gillette
Susan Green and Dirk Anschütz
Bridget Harrington and Graham Smith
Pam and Bob Herrick *
Julie Johnson
Theresa Lynn Landry # +
Conrad Leifur
Linda and James Madsen
Linda and Randy Madson
Merrick, Inc. +
Jeff and Sarah Milligan-Toffler *
Tabitha Montgomery # +
David and Leni Moore Family Foundation
Eric Mueller and Burt Coffin
Pamela Olson and Grant Aldonas
Pharos Employee Benefits **
Orapat and Ronachai Sivatanpisit
Harold D. and Barbara K. Smith
Edward Sootsman and Scott Appelwick
Pine River $100 – $499
AmazeWorks **
Michael Anderson and Katie Peacock # +
Anonymous (9)
Charles and Marilyn Arbetter
Jennifer Aspengren
Kathryn Barr
William and Pat Beierwaltes
Willy Beierwaltes
Peter Beierwaltes and Jessica Savitt
Marie France and William Beitz
Bryan Boyce
Karen P. Brady, Michael Garry and Caroline Garry
Patrick Burns
Cavanaugh Family Fund of the Catholic Community Foundation *
Chubb – Corporate Giving
Joe Dolson and Janna Kysilko
Rochelle Dressel +
Nils Dybvig and Michele Braley
Ecolab Foundation # +
Emmons and Olivier Resources
Eileen Fisher
Aaron and Rihannon Fiskradatz
Reed and Eric Fowler # +
Shanon Gass
Sue Gibson and Neill Merck
Kelsye Gould and Corey Getchell
Joe and Julia Green
Mary Green *
Karen and Dan Grow
Julie and Matt Guidry # +
Bryan and Michelle Haines
Hamline University **
Dale and Rose Haning *
Elizabeth Hannan
Anne Harrington
Michelle Hensley
Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts **
Lori Jacobwith
Dean Jensen
Masanari Kawahara
Alyssa Klein
Justin Lansing #
Marsha and Brad Larson # +
Steven and Liza Leigh Kiwus *
Brian and Chrissie Mahaffy
Deborah Malmon
Marty and Patrick Maloney
Alicia Marchioni
William Mask and Anne Howden
Lynne and Steven McCoy
Mary McEathron # +
Angie McGuire/ Muddy Mouth Cards
Joan Morris
Tom and Darlene Neidlinger
Heidi Nelson
Andrew Newman
Julia Nickerson
Partnership Resources, Inc. **
Bob Pranis and Veronica Weadock
Maggie Quinlan
Noël Raymond and Amy Finch *
Alice and John Reimann
Reinsurance Group of America Inc.
Michael Ritchie and Rebecca Loader
Darcy and Steve Roessler
Bill and Lillian Rovick
Julia and George Sand
Charles and Kori Savitt
Sue Scott and Ron Peluso
David and Terri Sieplinga
Drew Sieplinga and Alec Shaw # +
Bree Sieplinga and Dave Luke # +
Ashley Skelly-Lekson # +
Joan Slaby
Rebecca and Colin Slaby # +
Nancy Sonntag *
Gillian Spence # +
The Lowbrow Restaurant
Alan C. and Jean W. Thiel +
Betty Tisel and Sarah Farley
Julie and Brooke Tufte
Karine and Tom Vosberg
Leida Voulgaropoulos # +
Maren Ward
Harry Waters Jr.
Molly and Ned Weibel Ulring # +
Rachel Williams
Barbara R Wilson
Michael and Martha Wilson
Mary Ann and John Wolters
Xcel Energy Foundation Matching Gift Program +
Andy and Sally Zimney * # +
Lake Itasca Up to $100
Anonymous (7)
Jennifer Aspengren
Alan Berks # +
Kyle Blank
Rebecca Bohr
Shirley Brasseaux
Christine and Henry Brown
Sarah Brown
Faye Cantley
Julie Carr
Susan Carton
Steve A. Clobes
Kathleen Cobb
Kathy and Thomas Colaizy
Leah Cooper
Jeff and Merri Brewer Crain
Caroline Dahl
Laura Delventhal
Beth Derenne and Theresa Madaus
Kim Feller
Holly Folkers
Jennifer Freeburg
David Goldstein
Ron Goldstein and Susan Freeberg
Jean Greenwood
Drucie Haddock
Gaynelle Hardwick
Carmen and David M. Harris
Linda Hayen
Josephine Jefferds
Amy and Andy Jendrzejewski
Rachel Jendrzejewski # +
Karen Johnson
Reid Knuttilla
Ben Krywosz
Steve Kuntz
Carlos and Erika Lamboglia
Diann and Daisy Lee
Missy Leslie
Norah Long * # +
Kym Longhi and Jim Peitzman
Ann and Paul Macheledt
Elizabeth Madaus
Tracey Maloney
Meagan Manning
Brian and Libby Marx
Karen McGuire
Medtronic Foundation Matching +
Mouacheupao
Cheryl Overvig
Allyson Perling and Glenn Hardin
Natasha Pestich
Mads Phelps
Gretchen Pick and Michael Flood
Katie Querna
Susan Hodges Ramlet +
Kenneth and Cheryl Rausch
Betsy Roder
Alina Schroeder
Michelle Schutt and Scott Engstrom
Anthony and Sally Sexton #
Barbara Shelton
Alan and Jan Sickbert
Alison Sipkins *
Deborah Jinza Thayer
Thrivent Financial Matching
Andrew and Corinna Troth
United Health Group
URevolution
Annie Van Avery
Pramila Vasudevan
Elise Weinberg
Haruka Yukioka
Jennifer Zarth
Emily Zhukov
Emily Zimmer
This list reflects gifts made between July 1, 2024 and Nov 1, 2025, encompassing the 24-25 fiscal year and the 25-26 fiscal year to date. We make every effort to ensure accuracy. If you notice any omissions or errors, please contact us at [email protected].
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Dedications
Dedicated to Upstream Arts for all the years of Empowerment & Change!
– Steve Anderson
Dedicated to Feast with Friends.
-Steve Anderson
Dedicated to Peter Beierwaltes.
-Willy Beierwaltes
Dedicated to Andy Beierwaltes.
-Peter Beierwaltes, MA and Jessica Savitt
In honor of Julie Guidry.
-Bryan Boyce
In memory of Mr. Hubert Brasseaux Sr.
-Shirley Brasseaux
Dedicated to Caleb Guidry.
-Sarah Brown
Dedicated to Griffin.
-Julie Carr
In honor of Julie Guidry.
-Joe and Jane Cavanaugh
In honor of Ryan Hoag.
-Steve A. Clobes
Given as a gift in honor of Linda Dahl on Mother’s Day 2025.
-Caroline Dahl
On behalf of Graham and Marlowe.
-Shanon Gass
In honor of Caleb George-Guidry.
-Joe and Janet Green
Dedicated to Joe Harrington who brings so much joy!
-Anne Harrington
In honor of Crystal Brinkman & Alissa Light.
-Josephine Jefferds
In honor of Rachel Jendrzejewski.
-Amy and Andy Jendrzejewski
In honor of Kristin Burgess.
-Steve Kuntz
On behalf of Nelda and Donald Landry.
-Theresa Lynn Landry
In memory of Tom Lee.
-Mary Gerry Lee
In memory of Sheila Moe.
-Missy Leslie
In honor of Bree Sieplinga.
-Ben Mathews and Katie Keenan
In honor of Caleb George Guidry and his amazing family.
-Jeff and Sarah Milligan-Toffler
In honor of Peter Beierwaltes and Jessica Savitt.
-Pamela Olson and Grant Aldonas
In honor of Bob Frawley and Maggie Quinlan.
-Alice and John Reimann
On behalf of Peter Beierwaltes.
-Charles and Kori Savitt
In memory of my sweet brother David Scott.
-Sue Scott and Ron Peluso
In honor of Steve Anderson.
-Alan and Jan Sickbert
In honor of Charlie Frawley.
-Alan C. and Jean W. Thiel
Dedicated to Julie and Matt Guidry.
-Annie Van Avery
Dedicated to the students of Minneapolis Public Schools.
-Rachel Williams
In honor of Everyone at Upstream Arts.
-Jennifer Zarth
On behalf of All of the individuals at Partnership Resources, Inc. with whom Upstream has made a positive impact.
-Julie Zbaracki
In honor of Julie and Matt – and their family.
-Andy and Sally Zimney
In honor of Randy and Jane Hansen.
-Anonymous
Staff & Board
Staff
Julie Guidry, Executive Director
Matt Guidry, Artistic Director
Bree Sieplinga, Associate Executive Director
Nicki Jones, Operations Manager
Meagan Manning, Operations Associate
Aaron Fiskradatz, Program Manager
Andrew Newman, Development Manager
Theresa Madaus, Communications & Development Associate
Nora Montañez, Project Manager
Sue Carneol, Milwaukee Client Liaison
Teaching Artists
Issac Amala
Ryan Ander-Evans
Devohn Bland
Sarah Brown
Alsa Bruno
Morgan Bruno
Uchenna Chidozie
Evelyn Digirolamo
Dupree Edwards
Aaron Fiskradatz
Jane Froiland
Phyllis Genest-Stein
Avery Hunter
Abby Magalee
Tracey Maloney
Clay Man Soo
Nora Montañez
Akiko Ostlund
Heather Peebles
Pedra Pepa
Kimberly Richardson
Matt Sciple
Taiwana Shambley
Kiyoko Motoyama Sims
Board of Directors
Steve Anderson, Chair
Director of Disability Resources, Hamline University
Tabitha Montgomery, Treasurer
Executive Director, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association
Noël Raymond, Secretary
Co-Artistic Director, Pillsbury House Theatre
Kristin Burgess, Director
Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources, Metropolitan State University
Rebecca Slaby, Director
Executive Director, AmazeWorks
Peter Beierwaltes, Director
Program Integrity Analyst, Disability Services Division, Minnesota Department of Human Services
Ann Macheledt, Director
Staff Development Specialist, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Julie Guidry, Ex Officio, Non-Voting Member
Executive Director, Upstream Arts, Inc.
Photo credit: Marla Olivia Photography
Cover image by Ellis Luke. Bottom image by Marla Olivia Photography