Artist Mentor
Our LGBTQ+ clients face unique challenges regarding safety and security, housing, employment, and social integration, in addition to the trauma they face from having fled persecution in their home countries. Research and experience show that the arts play a powerful role in promoting social acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ communities.
We are working closely with our clients, who have stated a desire to participate in more community cultural activities. This became an impetus for looking into ways for folks to connect with the arts and LGBTQ+ community in Minnesota. We’re planning in-person arts-based programming for interested clients and their friends and supporters, including a half-day of art-related activities in June.
We are also looking for creative folks in the Twin Cities, including but not limited to immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community, to be paired with LGBTQ+ clients as remote/virtual mentors. We’re hoping these mentors can help our clients develop their creative practice and also cultivate a “chosen family” of friends and supporters. Mentors do not need to be professional artists, and all types of art are welcome. As of now, we have clients interested in painting, photography, music, comedy writing, and drag performance, but volunteers with any artistic background are encouraged to reach out. As COVID-19 restrictions change, we'll also start planning in-person arts-based programming for interested clients and their friends and supporters.
If you or someone you know is interested in mentoring an LGBTQ+ client looking to improve their artistic skills, email us at requests@advrights.org with “P2P Project” in the subject line.
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If you are a current or former client and are interested, or if you are a pro bono attorney and have any current or former clients who might be interested in being connected with this program, you can email us at requests@advrights.org with “P2P Project” in the subject line. While this outreach is rooted in LGBTQ+ advocacy, we welcome any clients who would like to be connected with arts mentorships or other arts resources in the community.
