Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Fresh Artists’ mission?
To promote access for all children to the healing, transformative self‐expression of art making and philanthropy.

What are the goals of Fresh Artists?

• Create opportunities for our children to become major participants in philanthropy, “paying it forward” to other children
• Recognize exceptionally talented K-12 student artists by showcasing their art in high profile places
• Deliver art supplies to children in severely under-resourced public schools
• Work towards substantially stronger funding of public school art education
• Inspire businesses and individuals to engage in keeping art-making vibrant in our public schools.

Why was Fresh Artists founded?
We founded Fresh Artists in direct response to the severe cutbacks in arts funding in public schools. As an example, art education funding has been cut more than 50% over the past 20 years in Philadelphia public schools. From 2005 through 2008, only 83 cents per child per year was allocated for art supplies. In 2009-2010, that allocation was eliminated, although the number of art teachers increased from 160 in 2006 to 256 in 2009! The need for help is urgent!

How does Fresh Artists work?
Fresh Artists identifies and invites student artists to donate high‐resolution images of their prize‐winning art. Then, Fresh Artists accepts corporate and individual contributions to fund the purchase of supplies for art teachers. As a thank‐you, donors receive large‐scale photographic reproductions of that student art for display in their facilities. It is a unique circle of giving where student art fulfills a corporate need and raises funds for future art making.

How old is Fresh Artists?
We were founded in February 2008.

What are some of your two-year metrics?

• Retail value of art supplies delivered to art teachers? $100,300
• Total number of pieces in the collection: 468
• Total number of children who have donated artwork: 389
• Number of pieces donated by one child: 6
• Total number of zip codes represented in the collection: 46
• Number of art teachers who have received grants: 272
• Number of business where art has been installed: 46

Is Fresh Artists only in Philadelphia?
So far, yes, but not forever. We started with a commitment to serve the Philadelphia public schools exclusively for two years. We are now placing our artwork in cities throughout the country like Boston, Holland Michigan and Washington DC. We are now exploring ways to have a wider impact on the philanthropy of children and public art education through our core model as well as by developing Fresh Artists Clothesline Art Shows, a grassroots initiative where any child or groups of children can organize and hold a little art show, donate and sell their art, and use the funds raised to purchase and deliver art supplies to a school in need in their community.

How is the art chosen?
Fresh Artists is a “curated collection”, not a juried collection. We choose artwork to attract and engage businesses and corporations. We select artwork that is visually bold and vibrant, that fills its paper/canvas and can withstand enlarging, sometimes as large as 6’ x 9’.

Who owns the artwork?
The child always owns the artwork. Fresh Artists is given the license to use digital images of the artwork to fulfill its philanthropic mission.

Once a piece of artwork is identified and selected by Fresh Artists, we invite the young artists to sign a legal license that was created by a much-admired lawyer specializing in intellectual property law. We typically approach the family through the child’s art teacher, a trusted adult in their lives. The license was designed to be easily read and understood by most people, and written to preserve all rights of use and disposal of art for the child. The child and their legal guardians sign the license, noting how they want the child referred to (full name, partial name, or anonymous), and return it to Fresh Artists. We then sign the License, and return a photocopy to the child’s family. Only after receiving permission to use the artwork, we digitally photograph or scan it and then return the original to the student, again, typically via the art teacher.

Fresh Artists is a “virtual collection” of art: We neither hold nor own original artwork…only digital images. The original artwork may be kept by the child, sold, re-licensed to others, given to Aunt Bee or thrown away. It is the child’s choice.

Can a child withdraw their artwork from the Fresh Artists collection?
Yes. Fresh Artists may “opt out” of the original License by sending us a letter via the US Post Office after their 21st birthday to request a form to sign removing their image from our collection. Once that has been effected, we will permanently remove the image from our files and collection.

Where do you find the children’s artwork?
Currently, we are working with Philadelphia public schools and some other local schools. We visit city-wide student art shows to find promising artwork for our collection and also visit art classrooms. If you are a teacher in a K-12 public school and feel you have artwork that suits our collection, please send us an email with a few selections of artwork at a low resolution.

We also welcome art teachers emailing images to us throughout the year for our consideration (low resolution, 72 dpi, at 5” x 8”) at info@freshartists.org

What happens to the original artwork of the children?
Once licensed to Fresh Artists, all original artwork is photographed at extremely high-resolution by a professional photographer or scanned by a fine art print company and then the original is returned to either the child’s art teacher or directly to the child. The child is free to do whatever he or she wants to with the original artwork.

Can children or their teachers submit artwork for consideration?
Yes. Contact us through our website, www.freshartists.org. We currently invite only artwork made by children in K-12 public schools. We request an email with photos at 72 dpi at 4” x 5”.

How many children have donated artwork?
As of July 2010, 389 children have donated 468 pieces of artwork to Fresh Artists.

How do you get art supplies to art teachers?
This year art teachers will register to receive a grant of art supplies on our website. They will chose one Art Kit from a list of many different options, depending on their needs. The Art Kits will be delivered to the teachers at an in-service meeting after the first of the year, 2010.

How do art teachers get grants from Fresh Artists?
For the 2011 cycle, art teachers teaching in K through 12 schools within the School District of Philadelphia may apply for a grant of an Art Kit. Our application portal will be open on our website beginning January 1, 2011 for a period of two weeks. Art Kits will be delivered to the teachers after the first of the year, 2011.

Why do you give art supplies half-way through the school year?
Fresh Artists is not intended to be the primary or sole source of art supplies for public school art teachers. It is intended to augment, not replace public school funding for art supplies. Our intention is to “freshen up the shelves for the second half of the school year”, when resources are typically at the lowest.

Is Fresh Artists part of any particular school district?
No. We are an independent public charitable organization, a 501(c)(3) organization. We are registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations. We currently offer our services to art teachers in the School District of Philadelphia but are in conversation with other school districts.

What businesses support Fresh Artists?

• abc6 – WPVI-TV
• Caroselli, Beachler, McTiernan and Conboy
• City of Philadelphia, Office of the Managing Director
• CMI – Compas (4 offices PA & NYC)
• Comcast Corporation
• Delaware Valley Green Building Council
• Drexel University, Goodwin College of Professional Studies
• Drexel University, School of Education
• Education Law Center
• Elevate Architects + Collaborators
• Goldblum and Hess Attorneys at Law
• Phoebe Haas Charitable Trust
• Hamilton Family Foundation
• Haworth: Philadelphia, Holland MI and Boston showrooms (3)
• Health Partners
• Institute of Family Professionals
• National Children’s Alliance, Washington, DC
• Nonprofit Finance Fund
• Northfields Conference Center
• Pearl Pressman Liberty Communications Group
• Philadelphia Children’s Alliance
• Philadelphia Tribune
• Project HOME
• Saint Christopher’s Foundation for Children
• SAP Americas
• Saul Ewing LLP
• School District of Philadelphia, Office of Translation and Interpretation
• School District of Philadelphia, Parent Resource Center
• School District of Philadelphia, Education Center Café
• School District of Philadelphia, Print Shop
• School District of Philadelphia, Office of Student Records
• School District of Philadelphia, Teacher Affairs Office
• School Reform Commissioners Office
• Sentry Art Advisory Service
• Shire Pharmaceutical
• Tasty Baking Company
• Temple University, School of Education
• Jeffrey Totaro Photographer
• The Cheese Trap
• Weaver’s Way Food Cooperative
• World Café Live

What kind of in-kind support does Fresh Artists receive?
We are grateful for the many important donations of goods and services such as a website and its management, all of our art and installation photography, scanning services, and printing. We operate our office in donated space, and with donated utilities. Most of the folks working on Fresh Artists are volunteers.

Do you receive foundation support?
Yes! We are honored to receive the support of the following foundations and family trusts:

• The Berwind Corporation
• Children Can Shape The Future
• Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Foundation
• The Hamilton Family Foundation
• Health Partners Foundation
• Mr. Gerry Lenfest
• The Petermeyer Family Trust, Philadelphia Foundation
• St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children
• Susquehanna Foundation

What benefit do the children receive from being part of Fresh Artists?
Fresh Artists is first and foremost an opportunity for children to learn about and practice philanthropy by “paying it forward” to other kids. Our Fresh Artists children receive the gratification and empowerment of knowing they are philanthropists, donating the use of their images to raise funds for other children in their community. At our annual student celebration event in the spring, we honor our young artist-philanthropists with a few small thank-you gifts such as a t-shirt with their artwork on it, a framed certificate of “extraordinary artistic achievement”, and a special “front stage pass” lanyard exclaiming “I’m Making A Difference” with their artwork on it. Several businesses have hosted special receptions for the children, their families and teachers at their facilities.

Does Fresh Artists need volunteers?
We need people to introduce us to businesses and corporations so that we can present our program of corporate art. We also welcome help with our one-day annual distribution of art supplies in early winter and our annual Sprout Fest honoring the children in June. Our new initiative, Fresh Artists Clothesline Art Shows will need volunteer coaches, helping guide people through hosting one of these events. We are especially looking for retired art teachers as volunteers for this job! Email us at bcallen@freshartists.org if you are interested in helping!

How can I get my child involved with Fresh Artists?
How about having a Fresh Artists Clothesline Art Show? This is a great way your child, family, school, scout troop or faith-based organization can get involved and make a huge difference to lots of kids. Details are coming up on our website, watch for information on how to sign up to hold a Clothesline Art Show!

Does Fresh Artists have art exhibitions?
Not really. We display the new, “fresh crop” of images donated each year at our annual student celebration event, the Sprout Fest. We have sample large-scale enlargements from our collection that we sometimes use to stage small, temporary exhibitions for development purposes. The central method of exhibition of children’s artwork is by our donor/partners installing the children’s artwork on the walls of their facilities.

What is the long-term vision for Fresh Artists?
We have two dreams:

• To create a small, Student Studio Apprenticeship program in the form of an afterschool Studio Workshop where teens will print and fabricate the large-format, ink jet images that we give to our donors, and help install them in the businesses. We will approach manufacturers of digital printers to donate equipment and expertise for this workshop.
• To create a central art materials depot with donated surplus or repurposed materials from regional businesses for the benefit of art teachers, and staffed by the student Studio Apprentices. We are in conversation with several large corporations in our region who are interested in supporting this program with donations.

How can I make a donation to Fresh Artists?

• Call us (215-920-3317) and make an appointment for us to visit your business or corporation.  We will help you determine how our artwork can decorate your offices, and guide your selection from our Collection.  The program of gift artwork begins at the $500 level.
• Donations of any amount are most welcome, through Pay Pal on our website, or by mailing a check made out to Fresh Artists, and mailing to Fresh Artists, P.O. Box 44, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
• Fresh Artists is a 501(c)(3) organization, registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations.  Donations to Fresh Artists are tax deductible.

May I give art supplies or artmaking materials to Fresh Artists?
Sure! Although we are not actively soliciting donations of art supplies or materials at this time given our lack of storage, people have asked us to find teachers who could use things they would like to donate. We know of many specific needs in our schools, and can make the introductions between donor and grateful recipient! Call us and we’ll figure out a good match! 215-920-3317

At what level of donation do I receive thank-you artwork from the children?
Thank-you gifts of artwork from the children begin at $500. You can download the Donor Benefits Matrix to see all the levels of gifts.

How does the re-gifting program work?
If you cannot use your thank-you artwork, we can install it the charity or nonprofit of your choice. We can suggest hospitals, children’s or adult daycare facilities, homeless shelters, public health clinics, PAL centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, or public libraries. The artwork is installed with an attractive Plexiglas wall label that explains our program and thanks the donor for their support of creative children.

Is the thank-you artwork original art?
No. The thank-you artwork is a large-scale, digital photographic reproduction of the children’s original artwork. They are high-resolution, ink jet prints, mounted on sturdy, rigid board, suitable for installation on walls. Although very beautiful and inspirational, these reproductions have minimal fair market value. They are not signed, numbered, framed nor glazed.

Can you mount the artwork on different substrates?
Our standard mounting is on 3/16” black Gatorboard. We can mount on several types of plastic, Plexiglas, aluminum, or 100% recycled ½” “ReBoard” There are additional charges for all these different fabrication processes.

What paper do you use?
We use a heavy, satin finish paper, but have the capability of printing on the newer, sustainable bamboo and sugar cane paper. Special papers, finished, and mounting is possible upon consultation.

What are the sizes of donations and gift artwork?

• A donation of $500 may choose a 30” x 40” reproduction ("Baby Bear" size)
• A donation of $1000 may choose a 44” x 60” reproduction ("Mama Bear" size)
• A donation of $2,500 may choose a 6’ x 9’ reproduction ("Papa Bear" size)

We nicknamed the sizes because we are artists and we got tired using numbers to describe the dimensions! Besides, it’s simply more fun.

A gift of $10,000 and above will receive bonus gifts of 20” x 30” posters in addition to the “Bear” size reproduction gifts. There is a complete matrix of donor gift benefits on the donor page.

Can artwork be ordered in custom sizes?
Yes, certainly. The donation will be calculated to be commensurate with the thank-you gift of art.

Is your artwork framed and glazed?
No. Our standard fabrication artwork mounted on 3/16” black Gatorboard, not framed, glazed, not signed, not numbered. The idea is to give our donors an attractive, useful thank-you gift with minimal fair market value in order to maximize their tax deduction. If necessary, the artwork can be framed, but we feel it is not necessary. Our installation process is unique, attractive, secure, and simple. If you want your prints framed, we can direct you to an excellent framing service, and you can pay them directly for their services.

How long will the panels last?
A good question. We don’t really know. They are simply ink jet prints on paper. They are not archival. We use a very long-lived adhesive when mounting the paper prints to the gatorboard, but it really depends on where they are installed, how long they will last. We have many panels that have been up on walls for more than 5 years and they look terrific, very little fading if any.

Do you offer a “green” product?
We now offer reproduction panels using either bamboo or sugar cane paper, both very “green”. These papers are matte finish and produce a very beautiful result. We can also mount these papers on a substrate called “Re-Board”, a 100% recycled corrugated board, about 1/2” thick. The look is more informal than the standard black Gatorboard, but very attractive. We have not sourced soy based inks yet, but we will get there!

Can the panels be laminated to protect them?
You bet! We offer a satin (“luster”) clear lamination on all sizes. This lamination has a long life (the manufacturer guarantees it for 50 years but who knows!), and protects against UV damage and liquid splashes and sprays. There is a small extra charge for this protection.

How do you install the artwork?
We offer complete professional installation services for an additional fee of $75 for small (Baby) and medium (Mama) size artwork. We charge $150 for a large (Papa) size piece. There is an additional charge for masonry walls or unusual installations. We “float” the artwork about 1-1/2” off the wall, securing it with stand-offs and screws with finishing washers. It is a simple, secure and elegant installation.

Can we ship the artwork?
Sure. It can be shipped either on its panels or rolled, before it is mounted to the Gatorboard. Packing and shipping charges are an extra donation, and are available upon request.

Can the young artist-philanthropist be invited to see his/her artwork installed in the donor’s business?
Yes, under certain circumstances. As you might expect, we don’t give any child’s personal contact information out to anyone. Several corporations have hosted wonderful receptions for their young artist-philanthropists, their families and art teachers. This is always done through the children’s art teachers, who secure the appropriate permissions and sometimes help facilitate the children’s travel arrangements.

Can a donor use images of the children’s gifted artwork in any way?
Not without specific written permission from Fresh Artists. Images cannot be used for Annual Reports, t-shirts, tangible gift products like mugs, posters, or the like. The artwork panel is the donor’s to keep but no license to use that image is transferred with the gift of the panel.

Is the entire image collection on your website?
No. We have put a selection of images into our gallery. Please call for an appointment to see the entire collection. 215-920-3317

How do I obtain a copy of Pablo, the Philly Philanthropist?
Write to us at Fresh Artists, P.O. Box 44, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 and send a check for $20 plus $5 shipping and handling. We will send it out to you! Soon you will be able to purchase it on our website, but you know how things are when you are a small nonprofit with big ideas!

Download the FAQ Document. [PDF - 1.1mb]