Non-Profit of the Week: Root Division

By Catherine Lincoln - September 30, 2008 If there's anything I can get excited about in a hurry, it's an organization that helps get art back into the schools. So I was thrilled when my friend Johanna tipped me off about this week's featured non-profit, Root Division. Based in the San Francisco Mission District, Root Division helps artists by providing subsidized studio space, and creating an environment where they can exchange ideas with other artists, and develop professionally. In return, the resident artists work in the community, teaching art classes in the schools and in adult education classes. The organization was founded by three graduates of San Francisco Art Institute in 2002. They wanted to establish an artistic community that would provide access to new technology, creative energy and a peer group. They also wanted to provide art instruction to under-served youth, and help nurture the next generation of artists. Their official mission is "to improve appreciation and access to the visual arts by connecting personal inspiration and community participation." The way they achieve this is by fostering a partnership between artists, teachers, local schools, and foundations, creating "an artistic ecosystem." In real life this means that each resident artist gets space to do his or her work, and in return does 12 hours of community service a month. This can be teaching kids in the public schools through one of Root Division's many youth programs, or by leading one of the great adult education classes, like painting, photography or soft sculpture. Even non-resident artists benefit from Root Division. Every Second Saturday Root Division opens a new monthly exhibition in the gallery. Also upcoming is the 7th Annual Art Auction on October 23rd. Featuring over 125 artists, both newcomers and more established names, the proceeds of the auction will benefit emerging artists, and support Root Division's free after school art programs. Root Division shows how a few people who are passionate about an idea can make a big difference in their community. As one testimonial put it, "Community-based organizations like Root Division are coming in to fill a void as districts have been forced to cut art out of their programs altogether. Root Division kept art alive for the kids!" You can tell how deeply Root Division is involved in the community by checking out their list of contributors. Ranging from huge foundations to individuals, to museums to the local yoga studio, keeping art alive for the kids strikes a chord for lots of people! If it's something you'd like to help support, you can make a donation on their site, or better yet, if you're in the Bay Area go to the Art Auction. It's always great to support a community by becoming a part of it!