Thank you for visiting our site and sharing an interest in the mission and vision of ARTS.

I first came up with the concept for ARTS back in the winter of 1992. My mother and sister had both been diagnosed with cancer within a month of each other. They underwent a valiant 10 month battle with the unforgiving disease. My sister pulled through and is now cured but, unfortunately, my mother succumbed to the disease at the young age of 48. ARTS is dedicated in her memory.

Being an artist, I used painting and my love of music to help me through this most difficult time. I used to retreat to my bedroom on a daily basis to paint and listen to my favorite music. I found the combination of music and painting very powerful and extremely therapeutic. It would take me from the lowest lows to the highest highs within a matter of minutes. When I was on this "journey" of music and visual images, thoughts of my dying mother disappeared, hopelessness and sadness were replaced with accomplishment and joy, and my outlook on life went from "What's the use?" to "What's the useful way I can use art?" That question planted the seed for ARTS.

I wanted to make my experiences available to others who were facing adversities. I wanted give others the opportunity to "escape" and have access to the same feelings I experienced when I was immersed in the arts. I wanted others to have the opportunity to change their tears of despair to tears of joy. I wanted to give others A Reason To Survive their adversities.

I feel very strongly that the arts, in particular the artistic process, gives people this opportunity. ARTS mission is not to provide art, music, drama, or writing therapy in the clinical sense, but rather to use the art process itself as a healing tool. We are here to provide access and exposure to the visual, performing, and literary arts in a loving and supportive environment. We are here to provide the supplies and equipment, the volunteers and support, the structure and curriculums for the children to create on their own and share the same experience I did.

I am proud to say that ARTS has now been in existence since July 2001. We have touched the lives of more than 25,000 children and we plan to bring art programs to many, many more--with your help!

Thank you again for your interest. I hope you enjoy the site and that you too will use the arts to make this world a more beautiful and enjoyable place for our children to grow up in.

Sincerely,

Matt D'Arrigo