From the canvas to the stage, the YMCA’s new “I Have A Dream” Wall and Theatre project will help our community chart the path toward social justice.
The Community Foundation of Broward is using the power of the arts to bridge differences with support for Art of Community – philanthropy that ignites creativity, invokes community pride and unites residents through the arts.
Thanks to Community Foundation Fundholders who step up for the arts, one of our new Art of Community grants supports the “I Have A Dream” Wall And Theatre project by the YMCA South Florida.
During this project, the new L.A. Lee Mizell YMCA Community Center in Fort Lauderdale will host a variety of arts activities that raise awareness about social justice.
Lead artist Niki Lopez will guide participants through workshops that feature local artists and result in creating theatrical performances as well as art exhibitions. The “I Have A Dream” Wall at the YMCA will be a spot for local artists to display their work and the YMCA’s new facility will also host performances of all types.
Through this engaging new program, community members will get to experience different art forms as they learn how they can address social justice issues.
Arts can be a catalyst for social justice, Niki Lopez said. The YMCA’s program uses art and community as ways for people to learn from each other, she said.
“Social justice is working with underserved communities (and) giving a voice to their concerns,” Niki said.
The I Have A Dream Wall And Theatre is one of seven exciting new Art of Community projects that will help answer our community’s call for social justice.
Click here to learn more about all the new Art of Community projects.
“It’s really the arts that unify us, they heal us, they inspire us,” Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D., said. “These programs are going to have an amazing impact on our community.”
Support for the new Art of Community projects came from the following Funds at the Community Foundation:
Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund, Ruth H. Brown Fund for the Arts, Dot and Keith Cobb Fund, Mary and Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund, Edward Hashek and John Jors Charitable Fund, Leonard & Sally Robbins Fund, Everett H. Metcalf, Jr. Unrestricted Fund, Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund, Community Concerts Association of Fort Lauderdale Performing Arts Fund, A Fund for the Performing Arts, Linda and Michael Carter Fund, John D. Ryan Fund, Harold D. Franks Fund, Gary J. Scotto Fund, Discretionary Community Fund, Oakland Park Woman’s Club, Deinhardt Charitable Fund, Ann Adams Fund, The Robert Elmore Family Fund, Maxine Powers Hofert Fund, Peter J. and Mary C. Barbare Fund, Barbara and Michael G. Landry Fund for Broward, Peck Family Fund, Julia C. Baldwin Fund, Frederick W. Jaqua Fund
To learn how you can help support Art of Community and other Issues That Matter to Broward, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
