We're just 5 hours away from our biggest fundraiser of the year, #ArtChangesLives! We are raising vital funds to support the Creativity Explored community and the many paths that our artists take - as creators and individuals. ⁠ ⁠ Can’t attend? You can still participate in our silent auction. ⁠ LINK: https://artchangeslives2025.cbo.io Hurry! Bidding closes at 8:45 pm PST⁠ ⁠ This important event would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors!⁠ Thank you to...⁠ The Waitte Foundation 🧡⁠ Larry and Sergio Nibbi 🧡⁠ LEAP of California 🧡 Dave Rozzi 🧡⁠ CRI SF🧡⁠ David Baker Architects 🧡⁠ Brian Garrett and Stephen Fronk 🧡⁠ MAC Modern Appealing Clothing🧡 (fb)

This month, we learned that nearly $400 million in @AmeriCorps grants were terminated without warning, forcing 32,000 AmeriCorps members to end their service early and shutting down over 1,000 programs nationwide.⁠ ⁠ Over the years, AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members have become part of the fabric of CE. Losing AmeriCorps means losing some of our capacity to take new risks and develop new programs that meet community needs. It also means losing a pipeline of passionate VISTAs who have often gone on to become supporters, partners, and even valued members of our staff. Design.⁠ ⁠ At the same time, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), has quietly rescinded millions in grant funding to small and midsize arts organizations. ⁠ ⁠ NEA funding doesn’t just support the arts—it fuels jobs, mentorship, visibility, and voice. It provides vital support to organizations large and small, established and cutting-edge, including work by artists with disabilities, BIPOC creatives, and emerging artists.⁠ ⁠ Right here in San Francisco, at least 28 organizations—including SFMOMA, MoAD, and our neighbors at the Roxie Theater.⁠ ⁠ The loss of these programs leaves a hole in our community, at CE and beyond. ⁠ ⁠ 👉 Learn more about these orgs and what you can do at:⁠ 🔗 Americorps Vista: www.americorps.gov/serve/americorps/americorps-vista⁠ www. voicesforservice.org/take-action/contact-congress/⁠ 🔗 National Endowment for the Arts: www.arts.gov/⁠ www.americansforthearts.org/advocate/protect-the-nea⁠ ⁠ Image Descriptions:⁠ - Detailed crop of an Allura Fong painting⁠ - Staff group photo taken by @SeanSkii⁠ - Photo of Sophia Yau-Weeks, 2021-2022 Art & Business Development AmeriCorps VISTA, Photo of CE artist DeAndre Smith-King, Photo of Hailey Brown, 2023-2024 AmeriCorps VISTA with CE staff Kelsey⁠ - Photo of Sophia Yau-Weeks, 2021-2022 Art & Business Development AmeriCorps VISTA with CE artist Gerald Wiggins⁠ - Photo of then VISTA, now Youth and Community Programs Manager Eleanor S. with CE artists Gerald Wiggins and Joseph Omolayole (fb)