Help Andrea Attend Art College at SAIC

About Me

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ Hello ! My name is Andrea Maldonado. I am 16 years old and currently a Junior. This fall, I'll be starting my Senior year of high school and will be applying to colleges and universities! My dream is to go to art school and pursue a career as an illustrator or visual artist. Art has always been more than just a hobby for me. Art is the way I express myself, and something I work on every single day with love and passion. Going to Art Pre-College this summer at SAIC in Chicago would be a great way to expand my skills, meet new people, and explore how I can do something I enjoy as a living. ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Why am I Fundraising?

This summer, I've been accepted into Early College Program Summer Institute at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the top art schools in the U.S.! I even received a merit-based scholarship for my portfolio. This 2-week, pre-college program is an amazing opportunity to learn directly from professional artists and professors, and to meet other young artists from all over the world. Unfortunately, the total cost of the program is about ~$6,000. My family is helping cover most of the cost, but even with financial aid and my merit-based scholarship, I still need to raise about $3,000 to be able to attend.

Why This Summer Matters

This summer is the perfect time to get a taste of college BEFORE I start applying to colleges in the fall as a senior. By attending prep schools such as these, I can decide if this is something right for my future early on- instead of having to find out once I’ve already committed.

How This Program will Benefit Me

This program offers on-hand critiques from one of the top four schools in the United States, and it would benefit me immensely to be surrounded by other artists from across the globe, and be critiqued by top professors. By attending this program, I can increase my skills exponentially, increasing my chances at getting into a good university where I can thrive creatively, and get me one step closer to my dream! I will be living on campus and getting the experience of being away from home for the first time, living in the SAIC dorms and walking to class everyday. I will also get two college credits. The only problem, is the cost, as even with scholarship the program is highly expensive- but you can help!

How You Can Help

Even a small donation can make a big difference. Your support means more than just money, it means believing in me, in my work, and the importance of the arts in our lives. The arts are everywhere around you! Thank you for reading all this and if you can't donate, it would mean a lot if you can share my story.

Follow my Journey:

(This fundraising is being organized by my mom)