Come make with us!
Our motto is "Art to All." We have been able to enact our motto by bringing art to communities through our ArtBus initiative. The ArtBus is a mobile art studio that allows our organization to bring art to 91 communities within a 40-mile radius of our bricks-and-mortar building that is in Staunton, IL. The ArtBus is stocked with equipment and materials for pottery, sewing, stained glass, drawing, painting, felting, jewelry, and tables which enables us to take art experiences to children and adults without opportunities for self-expression through art.
We operate within a rural area that is comprised of small to minute communities with limited transportation and accessibility. Many of these villages of 50-1000 people are economically depressed. This restricts many school-aged students and families from art programs like those we offer at our building. Our Art Bus is eliminating the barrier that keeps many in our area from participating in our free events. In addition, we seek to provide art instruction to people that may not be able to leave their home including those in group and retirement homes. All of these programs help us toward the goal of helping our community members to create art. We see everyday that our students take those skills and continue to sow seeds of creativity into areas of their own lives.
During this first year of our ArtBus operation we have been able to offer art instruction to the public of all ages at local parks, schools and festivals as well as at various community programs and centers. With this year's maiden voyage into the local communities our participation turn out has been over 30 people per each 2-hour visit. Most notably we have been able to partner with organizations such as the Madison County Juvenile Detention center to work with at risk youth, the Community Link Foundation to teach adults with disabilities, and the Royal Family Kids Camp which provides a summer camp experience to children within the Macoupin County foster care system. By bringing our ArtBus to them, we are bringing opportunities to those people that would otherwise not have that chance.
Since our first workshop with the Art Bus, we have had many community organizations reach out to us. Most can only afford $100-200 for us to bring the bus to them. Our per visit cost is just over $600. But with the support of our donors, funders, and foundation giving, we plan to expand our impact of the impoverished communities that struggle in this area. Our ArtReach allows us to connect with our community in whatever way may work for those who do not have opportunities and access to art.
The end of 2022 marks our first year of achieving our “art to all” mission with the art bus! This year we were able to provide over 3,200 art project kits while participating in local parades, create unique art experiences at various local events with the help of our partners and bring free art instruction to over 20 local communities!
We are now ready for 2023! We have received granting from the National Endowment for the Arts for our 2023 tour.
Hire the Bus!
Did you know you can request The Bus for your next event! We are now scheduling visits and events for our 2023 season. Learn more about the activities we offer below:
How to Support The Bus
Did you know there is more than one way to support our Art to All mission?
Art Bus Funders
We have received grants from these friends for our Art Reach program:
How the Bus got Started
In the 5th year of operation, the Macoupin Art Collective staff has found an unusual solution to reach kids and adults who are not able to get transportation to the MAC studio. Director Brandace Cloud envisioned a mobile art studio as a means to take art opportunities to students in surrounding areas. Then a substantial anonymous donation was offered to make this dream a reality. With the mission of “art to all,” the ArtReach Program will travel to 91 small communities within a 40 mile radius of Staunton. The MAC will work with local parks, libraries, retirement communities, village halls, and community centers to arrange visits beginning May 2022. The Art bus will be able to help us find grants that will let us offer free art instruction to the public of all ages. In the future, The MAC hopes to generate revenue for the charitable operations through private event rentals such as birthday parties, family events, retirement parties, baby showers and much more.
In August of 2021 the organization made the initial investment on a happy 15 passenger minibus to turn into a studio on wheels. The Macoupin Art Collective worked with Midwest Bus Sales to find the perfect vehicle. Joe Gugger of Edwardsville has provided partial support for a fused glass kiln to expand class offerings even further. Steve Hanson of Viking Electrical Services out of Edwar
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