Presenting Sponsor The Graham Smith Team of Keller Williams Realty and Premier 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 Still Celebrating remains completely free of charge and fully accessible!
Because of the 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 Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from 6-9pm CDT as we celebrate in person at the Luminary Arts Center (or meet us online at 7pm CDT for a livestream via Zoom) to help us raise funds and 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 Sponsors: Choice; Intersect Financial; MSS; Pharos Employee Benefits; Pillsbury House Theatre; Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association; and TruStone Financial.
Choice
CHOICE, Inc. is a place for lifelong learning and growth for people with intellectual disabilities. They are dedicated to creating partnerships and programs that enrich the lives of those they serve. Programs at CHOICE foster health & wellness, employment, advocacy, and community involvement opportunities.
Learn more about Choice, Inc. at their website: https://choicejobs.org/
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/
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; Hamline University; Ideal Printers; Jason W. Bucklin Photography; Luminfire; Lotus + Lama; Partnership Resources, Inc; Yess Yoga; 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/
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/
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
Luminfire
LuminFire creates brilliant digital solutions and develops custom applications to business challenges.
They’re a software and web development agency whose mission is to make your business more effective, productive, and profitable. They believe that your work can be better when the right business smarts and technology come together. And they’re passionate about empowering growth-focused businesses and organizations like yours to achieve their goals by removing technical obstacles that stand in their way.
For more information about Luminfire, visit their website: https://luminfire.com
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.
Yess Yoga
Yess Yoga, recently voted BEST of MN from MN Monthly, is an inclusive and accessible community that brings everyday magic and growth into our world to create peace. Yess Yoga fosters light-hearted and authentic connections between self, each other, and the universe at large. They dare to call their yoga classes “Intuitive Yoga”. They personally invite you to participate in any of their classes or events. All are welcome in the Yess Yoga community.
For more information about Yess Yoga, visit their website at https://www.yessyogastudio.com/
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 Still Celebrating on May 21. Join us at the Luminary Arts Center 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!