Help a kid with autism help others
Donation protected
Last year my son came up to me and asked if he could do a service project at his school. With my blessing, he organized Eagleview Elementary's very first Light it up Blue event. It consisted of a canned food drive for the food bank, a compassion wall, everyone wearing blue and Max going from class to class talking about autism. But there was one part that was special--his art and essays in the main hall.
This casual display of art soon turned into something much larger. Max was asked to tour his art and after much interest, he did a kickstarter and his book, Hello My Name is Max and I Have Autism was born. He complied his art and essays and what started as a small project, now has changed lives across the globe.
His intention was simple--to create compassion, understanding and awareness for kids with autism. His book is powerful and genuine as he tells others what it is like to have autism from his young perspective. 700 books later and going strong, Max is converting his meager earnings into funding his foundation, Blue Ribbon Arts Initiative.
Max created his foundation with this objective: To provide access to the arts for kids with ASD because "art saved him." He was non-verbal and struggled with words. Art gave him access to communicate and share his feelings. Max wants to share this with other kids in this manner.
*Hosting an art show featuring kids on the spectrum and selling their art with the proceeds going to the artist and to BRAI. Our first Youth Artists on the Spectrum show is April 4, 2015 at 40 West Arts in Lakewood, CO.
*Doing art meet-ups where kids can create with supplies provided by BRAI. Our next meetup is at the Autism Community Store on May 17, 2015
Negotiating access days to various museums
Providing Art Start Kits to kids who need art supplies to get started with their projects. We gave out over 20 Art Start Kits in the last 12 months.
Why is BRAI important?
Art is a expression that connects us all, regardless of talent, geography or language. The act of creating can express emotions, needs, encourage fine motor skills and it's fun. The art show provides a venue to showcase the art created by our young people, boosting self-esteem and educating the public that people with autism are more than just a diagnosis. We focus on what can be done, versus what cannot.
The show is important to our ASD community. ASD families generally live their lives managing things. Appointments, therapies, school, IEP's and the kids are excluded from activities that their peers enjoy, The result is isolation, not being able to share in those parent victories that come with bragging rights and sometimes poverty can prevent access to creative therapies.
BRAI recognizes these challenges and offers a moment of respite and joy. By having an opprotunity to create some art and have it displayed in a gallery with all the fanfare and trimmings, it provides our families a moment just to shine, be happy and be proud of some art on the wall and the fun that goes with creating it.
BRAI also works with art therapists and community organizations that support our youth through the arts. We also create and showcase social justice art that centers around inclusion and empowerment. The art inspires dialogue about ASD and how we as a community can come together to support these young people especially during transition into adulthood.
We also educate and inform. Max regularly gives speeches to various organization about autism in order to educate businesses, schools, peers and others about what it is like to be on the spectrum.
But alas, we are a mere team of two. We need your financial support to continue the shows and provide art supplies for our friends on the spectrum.
Our wish list is as follows:
To be adopted by a 501C3 or to have someone donate their time to help us acheive this status.
Art supplies--canvas, brushes, paint, crayon, pastels, charcoal--everything. Used is fine as we can repurpose.
Gift cards to art supply stores like Micheals. Walmart is welcome too!
Funding for our book featuring the art from the first show. The creation of this memory book will serve as a fundraiser for future shows.
The cost for our first show was close to 1000.00. Max paid for it out of his own pocket. We are hoping to recoupe his investment via book sales and art sales at the show. We lost a funder at the last minute so Max opened his personal account as the "show must go on." He wouldn't dream of letting the kids down.
So please find it in your heart to support this amazing kid with autism. He's a good egg and is paying it forward. With your kind donation, we will be able to purchase art supplies for the future meetups, buy tickets for kids who want to see shows and much more.
Max was told when he was first diagonsed that he would be better off instituationalized as he was "unteachable" and "unreachable." He proved them wrong. Instead of being bitter, he is paying it forward and trying to help other kids have an easier time.
Please support this 13-year-old kid with his dream.
Thanks!
Hello, My Name is Max and I Have Autism by Max Miller is available on Amazon
http://www.tinyurl.com/pxpfx6b
https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2015/03/09/i-cried-happy-tears-when-i-saw-my-son%E2%80%99s-art-museum
https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2014/07/17/heart-autism-max-sets-out-educate-people-his-perspective
www.blueribbonartsinitiative.weebly.com
Twitter @blueribbonarts
FB Insightintotheautisticmind
Max and one of our artists at the last art meetup
Max's book in the far right corner--part of a display at a school on the East Coast for learning about diversity
By Hudson T--one of our artists
Max with Diane at Chicago Style Beef and Dogs in Lakewood--one of our strongest supporters and friends
Max sharing his book with a monk from Nepal
This is an art start kit
This casual display of art soon turned into something much larger. Max was asked to tour his art and after much interest, he did a kickstarter and his book, Hello My Name is Max and I Have Autism was born. He complied his art and essays and what started as a small project, now has changed lives across the globe.
His intention was simple--to create compassion, understanding and awareness for kids with autism. His book is powerful and genuine as he tells others what it is like to have autism from his young perspective. 700 books later and going strong, Max is converting his meager earnings into funding his foundation, Blue Ribbon Arts Initiative.
Max created his foundation with this objective: To provide access to the arts for kids with ASD because "art saved him." He was non-verbal and struggled with words. Art gave him access to communicate and share his feelings. Max wants to share this with other kids in this manner.
*Hosting an art show featuring kids on the spectrum and selling their art with the proceeds going to the artist and to BRAI. Our first Youth Artists on the Spectrum show is April 4, 2015 at 40 West Arts in Lakewood, CO.
*Doing art meet-ups where kids can create with supplies provided by BRAI. Our next meetup is at the Autism Community Store on May 17, 2015
Negotiating access days to various museums
Providing Art Start Kits to kids who need art supplies to get started with their projects. We gave out over 20 Art Start Kits in the last 12 months.
Why is BRAI important?
Art is a expression that connects us all, regardless of talent, geography or language. The act of creating can express emotions, needs, encourage fine motor skills and it's fun. The art show provides a venue to showcase the art created by our young people, boosting self-esteem and educating the public that people with autism are more than just a diagnosis. We focus on what can be done, versus what cannot.
The show is important to our ASD community. ASD families generally live their lives managing things. Appointments, therapies, school, IEP's and the kids are excluded from activities that their peers enjoy, The result is isolation, not being able to share in those parent victories that come with bragging rights and sometimes poverty can prevent access to creative therapies.
BRAI recognizes these challenges and offers a moment of respite and joy. By having an opprotunity to create some art and have it displayed in a gallery with all the fanfare and trimmings, it provides our families a moment just to shine, be happy and be proud of some art on the wall and the fun that goes with creating it.
BRAI also works with art therapists and community organizations that support our youth through the arts. We also create and showcase social justice art that centers around inclusion and empowerment. The art inspires dialogue about ASD and how we as a community can come together to support these young people especially during transition into adulthood.
We also educate and inform. Max regularly gives speeches to various organization about autism in order to educate businesses, schools, peers and others about what it is like to be on the spectrum.
But alas, we are a mere team of two. We need your financial support to continue the shows and provide art supplies for our friends on the spectrum.
Our wish list is as follows:
To be adopted by a 501C3 or to have someone donate their time to help us acheive this status.
Art supplies--canvas, brushes, paint, crayon, pastels, charcoal--everything. Used is fine as we can repurpose.
Gift cards to art supply stores like Micheals. Walmart is welcome too!
Funding for our book featuring the art from the first show. The creation of this memory book will serve as a fundraiser for future shows.
The cost for our first show was close to 1000.00. Max paid for it out of his own pocket. We are hoping to recoupe his investment via book sales and art sales at the show. We lost a funder at the last minute so Max opened his personal account as the "show must go on." He wouldn't dream of letting the kids down.
So please find it in your heart to support this amazing kid with autism. He's a good egg and is paying it forward. With your kind donation, we will be able to purchase art supplies for the future meetups, buy tickets for kids who want to see shows and much more.
Max was told when he was first diagonsed that he would be better off instituationalized as he was "unteachable" and "unreachable." He proved them wrong. Instead of being bitter, he is paying it forward and trying to help other kids have an easier time.
Please support this 13-year-old kid with his dream.
Thanks!
Hello, My Name is Max and I Have Autism by Max Miller is available on Amazon
http://www.tinyurl.com/pxpfx6b
https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2015/03/09/i-cried-happy-tears-when-i-saw-my-son%E2%80%99s-art-museum
https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2014/07/17/heart-autism-max-sets-out-educate-people-his-perspective
www.blueribbonartsinitiative.weebly.com
Twitter @blueribbonarts
FB Insightintotheautisticmind
Max and one of our artists at the last art meetup
Max's book in the far right corner--part of a display at a school on the East Coast for learning about diversity
By Hudson T--one of our artists
Max with Diane at Chicago Style Beef and Dogs in Lakewood--one of our strongest supporters and friends
Max sharing his book with a monk from Nepal
This is an art start kit
Organizer
Rebecca Miller
Organizer
Westminster, CO
