Give a Little Bit

Why Supporting Charities is Important for Artists

"You give but little when you give of possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give" ~ Kahlil Gibran

It has been a busy few months starting with the creation of some new pieces for a gallery exhibition in February. That was followed up with painting a large scale piece for a recent charity event in early March. I have always enjoyed being part of charity events and sharing my art as a way to help others. It is why the quote from Gibran speaks to me. In the ideal world artists take the time to help charities by contributing their talent, time and compassion to help those in need.

I am not here to be preachy and suggest everyone has to contribute to all charities and causes. I recognize that not everyone is in the position to be able to support as much as they might want to. For me, there is something special about being part of a good cause and donating something which is personal and meaningful to me. How did all this begin – let me take you on a little trip down memory lane.

The Early Years

I initially started supporting charities when I was new to the world of art. As an emerging artist I came across the Postcard Art Exhibit (PAE), formerly known as the Twitter Art Exhibit. The brain child of artist David Sandum; emerging, mid-career and professional artists alike took part donating post card sized pieces to various charities and organizations around the world. I contributed to this incredible imitative by creating mini works for shows in London, Scotland, Australia, New York and Vancouver, among other locales. This is a fantastic way for artists at all stages of their career to participate in and help to make a difference for others.

Closer to Home

While I enjoyed participating in the PAE events I felt it important to also support local and national initiatives. My first event was in support of the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario (MDAO), whose mission is to support those with mental illness including depression and anxiety. That was followed by the donating of works to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, Colorectal Cancer Canada, True Patriot Love – to support both physical and mental rehabilitation of Canadian military vets, and Adam’s Dream Fund: for Pediatric Oncology. Most recently I created a special piece for the Toronto Chapter of the ICRF: Cancer Research Foundation. Good health is a foundation for a fulfilling life, impacting everything from productivity and relationships to overall well-being. That is why I am drawn to helping organizations such as the ones aforementioned.

The Reasoning

Artists donate to charity for a variety of reasons. What are the motivations?

Social Impact and Giving Back: Many artists feel a strong sense of social responsibility and want to use their talents to contribute to a better world. The charities I have supported have a strong social focus – addressing significant health issues that have affected all of us- be it directly or with someone we know.

Supporting Causes They Care About: Artists may choose to donate to charities that align with their personal values and beliefs. When I think about the Three Hs – Health, Happiness, and Hope, it all begins with providing others with a sense of hope. For me, I feel the need to do what I can to support vital and necessary work and research.

Exposure and Promotion: Donating artwork to charity can provide artists with an opportunity to gain exposure to new audiences and potentially attract collectors or clients. Being an artist can be a challenge in today’s saturated market. Being able to be part of events, allows for new audiences to see one’s work in a meaningful context.

Rewarding Experience: Many artists find that donating their work to charity is a rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. Donating a piece to a charity feels good. Creating a specific piece with a certain charity in mind is incredibly rewarding. I know that while I am happy to donate completed pieces, the sense of fulfillment I feel in specifically creating a piece for a charity is that much more rewarding.

Connecting with Others: Participating in charitable initiatives can help artists connect with other artists, community members, and potential supporters. While I have not attended many of the events, I have attended a few. Being able to attend and network is a powerful social experience, especially when meeting others who also value the same cause.

Using Art as a Tool for Change: Artists can use their art to raise awareness about important issues and inspire social change. My very first charity donation in Toronto for MDAO was very powerful. Being able to create a piece to help raise awareness for mental health and well-being, which at times is still, a stigmatized issue, was very moving. That is an event I will never forget.

In Closing

In a time when many feel that they do not have a voice, artists are using their gifts to share their voice, through imagery. My goal is to try and support a different charity each year – that way I can play a role, albeit a very small one, in helping to support organizations whose focus is on causes that are personally meaningful.  

We can all do our bit to make the world a better place. For me, one way I can help is through my art. While I have and will continue to sponsor others for various causes, I enjoy the opportunity to contribute in a different way – through the donations of my art.

I am always looking for new charities to support. If you are part of one and think that it might align with my goals as an artist, then please contact me. I look forward to sharing more of my art journey with you, with a focus on painting and rock and roll through Artist Confidential. If you have topics, you would like me to blog about, please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Thanks for reading. Stay creative! Rock your day with everything that you do!

Cheers,

Al