ABOUT US
Who We Are
Empowered Arts Alaska facilitates healing and empowerment, and restores hope, resiliency and self-esteem in children in Alaska who have experienced abuse, domestic violence, neglect, poverty and/or homelessness through various forms of creative art expression.
We provide an environment in which survivors can learn healthy coping skills, self-expression and social responsibility through the production and performance of art (e.g. creative writing, poetry, painting, photography, drawing), music, theater and dance.
Empowered Arts Alaska delivers art programs to children through ongoing partnerships with homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, housing programs, after-school programs and schools serving disadvantaged children in Alaska.
Our Approach
Empowered Arts Alaska creates a safe environment where children can feel, understand and express their emotions and begin to recover and gain a sense of mastery and empowerment.
We pair children with adult and youth mentors who serve as a positive role model with whom the child has a beneficial, rather than traumatic relationship.
Empowered Arts Alaska's programs take children through a journey of empowerment, focusing on “Process over Product”. This means that art is a tool for restoring self-esteem, resiliency and hope, rather than teaching children to produce attractive or technically sound art pieces.
Art is used as a process to develop and cultivate leadership skills, self-esteem, resiliency, and a belief in a positive future.