Artists for the Arts | Testimonials

“I was one of those kids who was different. Diagnosed ‘hyperactive’, precursor to ADHD, I didn’t relate to other children and was an outcast. I experienced the world on a sensory level and it felt crushing and big. I had imaginary friends in imaginary places - drawn on anything that would take a pencil or crayon. Math didn’t make sense to me - until much later when I made peace with it and began to approach it intuitively. I won my first art competition in 3rd grade. When I started Junior High, I was introduced to daily art education (as opposed to crafts at summer camp). I took art class every school day for 6 years. Art gave me focus and at times was the reason for coming to school. Art is about communication. Art education strengthens problem solving and critical thinking skills, builds self confidence and self discipline. Art saves lives.”
“As funding for the arts dries up, a part of our culture is dying. As an artist, art is something you can’t not do; it will manifest itself in positive or negative ways. My work with Artists for the Arts is an opportunity for me to potentially save a young artist’s life. It happened to me.”
Molly Cliff-Hilts, painter and Artists for the Arts board member

“Originally from New Jersey, I knew from a very young age that I needed music in my life. I grew up in suburbia, 45 minutes away from New York City, where the lawns were green and the schools well funded. Thanks to this, in grade school I was given the opportunity to play saxophone in the school band and fell in love with jazz. I can absolutely say that this changed my life forever.”
“Now in Portland, Oregon, which I love dearly, I can’t understand why it is so difficult for the schools to provide a high level of arts education to students. It doesn’t seem to matter what studies say about arts education increasing the intelligence of children across the board, etc. The arts are still treated like a form of unimportant entertainment when, in fact, they are essential to a child’s development. This is why I am involved with AFTA.”
“I contribute to AFTA in a few different ways. I am now the guitarist and songwriter for the symphonic rock band “Echo Helstrom”, and jazz trio “Echo Jazz Trio.” We donate a percentage of proceeds from events to AFTA. In addition to this, I am a real estate agent with Windermere, and I donate a portion of each transaction to AFTA. In this way I can help provide Portland students with the arts education that was so essential to my own development.”
Ross Seligman, musician and Artists for the Arts volunteer

“I was introduced to AFTA almost 5 years ago by a mutual friend and fellow arts advocate. I had just completed Portland Business Alliances’ Leadership Portland Program and had participated in the Portland Schools Foundation’s Principal for a Day program. A professional in the arts and creative services industry, I was already a supporter of a regional plan with an creative economy emphasis, but it was through those programs that my beliefs came to embrace arts in education as a key component.”
“It became clear to me that participating in the arts has a direct impact on one’s development as an efficient problem solver, innovative thinker and well-rounded, confident, balanced person. Like many others, I understand that limited access to art programs in our schools puts individual students and our community at a great disadvantage.”
“I have been involved in helping raise money and awareness for arts and music in the schools through AFTA ever since. It’s motivating to see the impact a small grant can make in the classroom of an informed educator. It’s an investment we should all take seriously.”
Heidi McBride, Heidi McBride Gallery and Art Consultancy