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Misty Staiger is the marketing director for Bis-Man Transit and Capital Area Transit in Bismarck. She graduated from the University of Mary with a degree in communications and has worked with several non-profit organizations either as an employee or a volunteer. When she was seven years old, she asked for a pony and actually got one; he still lives on the family ranch south of Hebron.

Step Up To Service: ArtWise
 
Nonprofit development involves a large amount of passion and dedication on behalf of the people who believe in a cause or see a need that isn't met in their communities. This was the case in 1993, when a group of parents volunteered their time and efforts to form a nonprofit elementary arts organization, ArtWise, in the Grand Forks area.
 
The ArtWise mission is to give children in the Greater Grand Forks area opportunities to explore their unique abilities through the visual arts, to foster their self esteem and to increase the community’s awareness, appreciation, and participation in children’s visual art activities.
 
ArtWise sponsors four main programs throughout the year.

1. The Elementary Art Show is open and free for the public to view and is comprised of artwork from over 3,000 public, private, and home-schooled students.
2. Art By Children (ABC) Lease Program enables businesses to display artwork created by young Greater Grand Forks area artists.
3. Art4Kids Art Camp is an annual camp that allows kids in grades 3-5 to learn and improve their artistic skills.
4. ArtRally! events are free opportunities for kids in grades K-2 to participate in visual arts activities.

“Visual art programs give children the opportunity to explore their world and develop tools to help them understand people and other cultures,” said ArtWise Executive Director Martha Keifenheim. “The arts programs develop imagination and encourage creativity.”
 
ArtWise is supported by a combination of local, state and regional grants, including one from North Dakota Council on the Arts and another from the North Valley Arts Council. Funding is also received from an endowment, but a majority of the money comes from in-kind funds, generous support of members and fundraising activities.
 
There are plenty of chances for young professionals to show support for the ArtWise program. Not only will kids benefit, but the enthusiasm and excitement given off because of their pride in their artwork is very contagious. Young adults are important role models for kids interested in taking part in visual art programs.
 
Several volunteer opportunities are available within ArtWise. Currently, they are recruiting over 300 volunteers that are needed for the 2010 Elementary Art Show March 23, 24 and 25 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. If people are unable to volunteer, they are welcome to stop by and view the creative displays by young area artists.
 
Volunteer positions are open to serve on the ArtWise Board of Directors and the organization tries to keep costs down by maintaining a list of professionals who would be willing to volunteer their time helping with marketing, accounting, legal and business matters.
 
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.ArtWise4kids.com.
 
*ArtWise is part of the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations (NDANO). NDYP and NDANO have teamed up to form a partnership to promote opportunities to give back to ND communities and causes. If you want to get involved with a ND nonprofit, check out the profiles of NDANO members at www.ndano.org.
 

Read Misty's past columns here