Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Upturn Arts
Legal Name (if Different): Upturn Arts
Also Known As: N/A
Mailing Address: 1719 Toledano Street
City: New Orleans
State: Louisiana
Postal Code: 70115
Main Phone: (504) 390-8399
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: https://upturnarts.org/
Employer ID Number: 46-2925350
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit exempt

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 20, 2025
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: creARTive Impact & Intervention
Project Description:

Imagine a child standing on stage singing a song, performing a dance, presenting their original art, and then taking a bow. They stand up, smile, feel proud, and grow a little taller brimming with newfound confidence. That upturn can never be taken away. It will live on in that child forever. This is what we do at Upturn Arts. We guide children to develop critical thinking, find their unique voice, and walk out of our doors with new life skills feeling confident and inspired. This year marks Upturn Arts’ 15th anniversary of providing accessible arts education to New Orleans youth through on-site holiday, summer, and after-school programming. Many of the youth we serve reside in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans, of which almost 30% of the population lives below the poverty line. Unfortunately, low-income working parents struggle to send their children to afterschool and summer programs due to the following barriers: lack of transportation, high costs, and unavailability of local programming. New Orleans is a hospitality-based city with many parents of our students working in the tourism industry. These parents are busiest during holidays, summer, and after school, which is why we offer an accessible, safe, and nurturing space for children to access our arts education programming during these times. In addition, 26% of our students have special needs. To ensure a truly inclusive environment for all students, our teaching artists undergo specialized training in art therapy techniques, led by licensed therapists. This empowers them to offer personalized support and on-site interventions that effectively address both the mental and physical challenges faced by students with special needs, allowing them to fully engage in learning and artistic expression alongside their peers.

Total Project Budget: $383,216

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): New Orleans Recreation & Culture Fund $20,000 Committed; Kahn Oppenheimer Fund $20,000 Committed; Zemurray Foundation $10,000 Potential; Goldring Foundation $10,000 Potential

Project Duration: 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026
Geographical Area Served: New Orleans
Age Group To Be Served: 4 – 17 year olds

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Dana
Contact Last Name: Reed
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: (504) 427-1515
Contact Email: dana@upturnarts.org