Public Events Program

Arts for Humanity! contributes to the broader community through a series of community events. Most notably, our popular Spontaneous Theatre and Portraits for Youth event where costumes and props provide a plethora of creative opportunities for Santa Barbara youth. Children of diverse abilities and social backgrounds interact with each other, uniting in the spontaneity of creative play as they dress in costumes and use props for spontaneous theatre. The children also get a thrill out of having their portraits taken as part of this event.

Other events include an annual Outsider Art Exhibit, “Inside the Outside” where collected art from program participants is elegantly framed and displayed at local venues. We also participate in the Children’s Creative Project’s I Madonnari festival. Here our interns feature work of artists with disabilities recreated in chalk drawings, providing a wonderful opportunity for the public to learn about Arts for Humanity! and for College interns to mix with the community at large. And finally, we work to promote the value of artistic expression for UCSB students at their annual Relay for Life event.

Over the years we’ve participated in the following events:

• Special Olympics (Santa Barbara & Ventura)
• The Children’s Festival, Family Service Agency
• I Madonnari
• Isla Vista Teen Center Spring Fest
• Goleta Lemon Festival
• Summer Solstice in the Park

Special Event Opportunities

Arts for Humanity! participates in Santa Barbara’s wonderful free public events by providing creative enrichment programs at no charge for our local non-profits and for our community. All interested volunteers and interns will need to sign up in advance, as they are a an essential part of the planning and preparation process. Our event participation includes:
 

Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice parade culminates in a festival with a wonderful collection of live world music, food, arts and crafts, and a special free children’s festival. Arts for Humanity!’s provides a Spontaneous Theatre & Costuming booth for youth were costumes and props provide a plethora of creative opportunities for Santa Barbara youth.
 

I Madonnari

Arts for Humanity! Interns and volunteers create a Marc Chagall inspired image infused with Santa Barbara flare.
 

Isla Vista Teen Center Spring Festival

Arts for Humanity!’s provides our Spontaneous Theatre and Costuming booth at this annual spring event for the youth and families of Isla Vista Teen.
 

Special Olympics

Arts for Humanity!’s Spontaneous Theatre and Costuming booth for youth is provided alongside Special Olympics activities where youth with developmental disabilities experiment with costumes and props to stretch their imagination in a social peer focused environment.
 

“Inside the Outside” an Outsider Art Exhibit

Arts for Humanity!'s traveling Outsider Art Exhibit, "Inside the Outside" showcases the work of artists with disabilities from our Community Arts Program. Shown at local business venues and galleries throughout Santa Barbara, this playful, whimsical work captures the spirit of a group of artists to whom authenticity and imagination is at the forefront. This is an opportunity for the sensitive and innovative artwork of these gifted individuals to be appreciated as part of our arts community. Presented by  Arts for Humanity!.

This project is funded in part by the Organizational Development Grant Program using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission.