We are always cultivating fertile soil so creative expression can thrive.
Why Creativity?
In 1943, Dr. Abraham Maslow outlined the hierarchy of human needs including physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Self-actualization needs refer to the realization of a person's potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences. Maslow describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be.
At Artbound we believe that expression is the basis for self-actualization and we are always in pursuit of supporting basic needs so that creativity can flourish.
FEATURED PARTNER:
THE BALLANTYNE PROJECT
Become an Ally for Meaningful Change Through Reconciliation
Indigenous youth living with limited resources in remote locations often feel forgotten and succumb to giving up hope for a better life – an all too frequent outcome that goes unheard.
To change the narrative, Dwight Ballantyne’s message of #WESEEYOU, lets Indigenous youth know they have choices and to reimagine what their life can look like as no Indigenous youth should feel unseen.
Enabling and empowering these communities starts with demonstrating that WE SEE THEM by shining a light on what life is like on reserve. Through the Ballantyne project, we are raising awareness and educating urban Canadians on the barriers, while empathizing with and showing Indigenous youth they are no longer an invisible segment of our society.
DID YOU KNOW:
At 51%, First Nations children living on reserves
have the highest rate of child poverty anywhere in
Canada – MORE THAN 3X the national rate*
*Facts reported in the 2016 Canadian Census
#WESEEYOU TRIPS
Empowering Indigenous Youth to Pursue Their Dreams
Recognizing the most impactful moments that changed the trajectory of his life were those rare times that he was able to leave the reserve and have experiences outside his community, Dwight and The Ballantyne has designed ALL INCLUSIVE educational and life experience trips specifically for Indigenous youth from remote and northern First Nations in Canada.
Past Projects
Over the last decade Artbound has raised $1 Million dollars for various charitable initiatives around the world.
Kenya 2011
In its first year, Team Artbound fundraised for and travelled to Kenya to build and support The Kisaruni All Girls’ High School and Community Centre.
India 2013
In Rajasthan, India, the Artbound project supported clean water, sanitation, healthcare & alternative income programs as well as a community centre providing academic & arts education.
Guatemala 2015
Team Artbound fundraised for and visited communities in rural Guatemala, connecting, learning and providing beds to the region’s poorest families and orphanages while also supporting the building of the Backyard School.
Nicaragua 2017 & 2018
In 2017, two new classrooms were added to the high school project in Chinendega, Nicaragua as well as the inception of after school art, dance and music programs for the entire community.
In 2018, the team returned, purchasing a new school bus, and supplying a school roof and sanitation stations, all while enabling art and Music programs to continue.
Haiti 2018
Schools in Northern Haiti were graced with Mr. Doussett, the region’s newest music teacher. A goat campaign supporting alternative income projects was created, fully funding a new school with 4 classrooms as a result.
Canada 2020-2024
In support of the Ballantyne Project, #weseeyou day was launched, raising awareness and showing youth in remote reserves across Canada that they are seen, through an online fundraising webinar and distribution of activity boxes across northern Canada .
#WESEEYOU DAY 2022
As a symbol and means to bridge the gap between individuals living in remote Indigenous communities and the rest of Canada, Dwight chose the birthday of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister taking office in July 1867, who personally set in motion many of the most damaging elements of Canadian Indigenous policy with irresponsible leadership that introduced Canada’s Indian Residential Schools as a nationwide program of assimilation in 1883 which lasted until 1996.
Thank you to all who joined our movement on January 11th as we share in the responsibility of letting the thousands of youth and young adults living in remote indigenous communities know they are no longer an invisible segment of our society.
Supporting the Survivors of the Timber Bay Children's Home
While some progress has been started with the recognition of 139 Residential Schools across Canada, others have been overlooked due to a complicated history and Government loopholes.
One key omission is the Timber Bay Children's Home in Saskatchewan, located just 18 km outside of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Dwight Ballantyne's home community.
To bring awareness and much needed attention to this 20-year fight, B'yauling Toni, a non-Indigenous Saskatoon University student walked solo, on snowshoes, along the river from Saskatoon to Timber Bay in harsh winter conditions for 12 days starting December 17, 2021.
Our intention was to rally the public to participate in an online petition to the government so the survivors of the Timber Bay Children's Home will finally be acknowledged and start the reconciliation process.
Connecting Remote Communities Through the Power of Creativity
What started out as a pilot project in November 2020 to help families struggling with the isolation, mental and emotional turmoil due to the ongoing pandemic, the #WeSeeYou Activity Box campaign successfully shipped over 500 boxes containing art and essential supplies to 10 remote Indigenous communities.
The response on social media was overwhelming making this simple act of reaching out an important annual effort with several new Indigenous communities on board for this year.
Travel with us.
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”
– Mary Anne Radmacher
We love connecting with communities, face to face, and are looking forward to many more impact trips to come!
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Northern Canada
Nicaragua with Waves of Hope
We are so excited to return to Nicaragua with Waves of Hope in December of 2024.
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