Meet Kara Anton | Founder & President of Give Kids Art, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kara Anton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kara, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired by the courage, resilience, and creativity of the children we serve at Give Kids Art. During each session and activity, I witness these young artists approach their papers or canvases with a sense of pure wonder and determination, and I am reminded of the boundless potential and innate creativity that resides within every child. To echo Pablo Picasso’s poignant words that inspired our mission, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Children’s ability to take simple tools — a brush, some colors, a blank page — and turn them into expressions of their inner worlds is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Moreover, it’s the belief that art has the profound capacity to transcend barriers, instill hope, celebrate individuality, and transform lives that fuels my dedication to our cause. I’ve seen firsthand how art empowers children to communicate, to heal, to grow, to be bold, and to dream beyond their immediate circumstances. Art is a universal language that transcends age, background, and socio-economic status, offering a sanctuary of self-discovery and expression.

In addition to the children we serve, our volunteers and organizational partners at Give Kids Art are a continual source of inspiration through their dedication and commitment to our mission. Their collective passion ignites a fire within me, reaffirming my resolve to help make expressive art accessible to all children and inspire them to create fearlessly. Collectively, we embark on this journey, with the hope of nurturing an optimistic and brighter future for children through art, giving them the opportunity to positively explore, express, and develop their artistic selves in a safe and joyful environment.

We are 100% volunteer-based, including me! The children we serve and our supportive helpers, above all else, are what inspire me each day to continue the work we do at Give Kids Art.

What should our readers know about your business?
Give Kids Art is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by a profound belief in the transformative power of creative expression through the arts. We provide free art supplies and engaging art programs to underserved youth, living in Los Angeles and beyond.

Through our art workshops and programs, we create a safe, nurturing space that enables children to explore their limitless creativity. More than merely offering the opportunity to create art, we strive to cultivate a mindset that equips children to navigate challenges and we empower our young participants to tap into their inner artistic selves, fostering self-awareness, self-compassion, and creative self-care practices that will hopefully resonate throughout their lives.

Numerous studies have affirmed the profound impact of arts education on child development. Participation in initiatives like ours has yielded marked improvements in math and reading scores, as well as enhanced problem-solving abilities, academic achievement, resiliency, empathy, cooperation, and overall well-being. You can delve deeper into some benefits of arts education at [CreateCA.org] (https://createca.org/) as well as [here] (https://issuu.com/americans4arts/docs/afta_navigator_facts-and-figures).

Beyond our art programs, during the pandemic, we recognized a fundamental need among many children who lack basic art supplies at home. This realization inspired our Art Kit drops and events, where we provide children with comprehensive kits full of essential art materials. This initiative grants children the means to express themselves, transcending circumstances or location and unlocking a realm of creative possibilities.

We take immense pride in being 100% volunteer-based. And 100% of the donations we receive, thanks to generous contributors like you, are dedicated solely to procuring art supplies for our Art Kits and art programming. Our art programs, spanning 8-10 weeks with each session lasting 60-90 minutes, are thoughtfully designed to offer a comprehensive creative experience. Each activity is centered around social-emotional learning objectives, achieved through engaging warm-up exercises, fun art-making activities, opportunities for presentation and sharing, and key takeaways for sustained growth.

What distinguishes our programs is our deliberate emphasis on promoting social-emotional growth in every art activity, through our warm-up exercises and main art prompts. Our approach also centers on process-based art activities, allowing children to revel in the joy of the creative journey rather than feeling pressured to produce an ideal end product. This liberates them from self-imposed standards and encourages free expression. In our sessions, we instill the belief that there are no mistakes in art, fostering a sense of resilience in young artists. Moreover, we provide exposure to a wide array of visual art mediums and artistic techniques, stoking curiosity and encouraging exploration. We often ask the children, “How do you know if you like something unless you try it?” This curiosity-driven approach fuels their sense of discovery and self-assurance. Our intentional curriculum and programs emphasize and nurture self-expression, self-esteem, self-awareness, emotional release and management, active listening, kindness and empathy, cooperation, curiosity, and the discovery of one’s creative voice.

Alarming statistics from CreateCA.org highlight the urgent need for our mission. Shockingly, 89% of California schools fall short of providing the mandated visual arts education. This underscores the critical role of initiatives like Give Kids Art in bridging this gap, ensuring every child can access the transformative power of the arts. Our work is anchored in the belief that by exercising and extending children’s exploration of their creativity, we’re planting the seeds for future generations of problem solvers and innovators. Through creative arts, we’re nurturing self-awareness, self-love, self-worth, and a sense of accomplishment. This is the core of Give Kids Art, and we’re dedicated to leaving a lasting impact on the lives of children, both now and in the future.

One of our challenges has been swiftly scaling in-person programming to reach more children across Los Angeles and the country. In response, I’m thrilled to introduce our recent initiative, the Give Kids Art Partnership Curriculum Program. This innovative approach enables us to expand our impact by collaborating with other youth-serving nonprofit organizations, such as The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to deliver our 8-10 week curriculum. For more information and case studies, please visit our website at [www.givekidsart.org/partners] (https://www.givekidsart.org/partners).

Interested in volunteering individually or with a group to make and distribute Art Kits to kids in need in your local community? Please reach out to us at hello@givekidsart.org.

You can also follow us on Instagram at @givekidsart to stay up to date. You will see only smiling faces and boundless creativity!

To donate towards our mission or to learn more, please visit [www.givekidsart.org] (https://www.givekidsart.org/).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh there’s too much to see in a week! I was raised in beautiful Laguna Beach, CA so I love the scenic drive on PCH and stopping at the many charming beach towns along the way. Given that Give Kids Art is based in Santa Monica, which is equally picturesque, here are some of my favorite activities and spots if we were to stay on that side of LA.

We’d kickstart the day with a visit to Primo Passo Coffee Co. – a must for a coffee enthusiast like me who needs a lot of espresso. For a hearty breakfast, Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe is a delicious spot. Then, it’s decision time: a cultural immersion at the Getty Villa for art aficionados, or an invigorating hike with a view in the Pacific Palisades for the nature enthusiast.

Afterwards, we would drive to Malibu for some sun-soaked beach relaxation and a casual stop at Malibu Seafood for lunch. As the day winds down, a first-time visitor can’t miss a stroll along the Santa Monica Pier. If time allows, the Ferris wheel provides a breathtaking panoramic view, especially at sunset. For dinner, Fia in Santa Monica offers a tantalizing culinary experience, or a relaxed vibe can be found at Kreation.

As an artist, I would also recommend trying to visit the Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica. Plus, there’s a plethora of vibrant street art throughout the city, including in Venice and Santa Monica. Try to include these sights in your adventures, or during one of the days, you might consider taking your friend on a walking tour!

For those who may not be keen on art or hiking, a breakfast at the renowned Rose Cafe followed by a leisurely walk along the Venice Boardwalk would be an alternative. From there, we might walk to the chic boutiques on Abbot Kinney and perhaps grab a bite at The Butcher’s Daughter. Evening plans would lead us to the delightful Gjelina, my favorite spot for a memorable dinner. Make sure to grab a table on the back porch. To end the night on a sweet note, a short walk to Salt & Straw for a delightful ice cream treat would be the perfect end to a beautiful day!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wholeheartedly believe that the art and joy we cultivate at Give Kids Art are a collective endeavor, made possible by the unwavering support of our donors, supporters, volunteers, and partners. Their contributions are the bedrock of our mission to provide children with the gift of art and foster creative expression. I extend my deepest gratitude to every individual and organization who stands with us in this endeavor.

A special tribute goes to my mother, Dena, whose boundless love, belief in me, and encouragement have been a guiding force throughout my journey. Not only is she an inspirational artist in her own right, but she also actively engages in giving kids art, dedicating her time to tasks like crafting Art Kits and evaluating new art activities. Her positive energy and selfless commitment continue to amplify our impact.

My heartfelt appreciation goes to my husband, who inspired me to pursue my artistic passions and whose unwavering support has been instrumental in my endeavors. He’s also learned to embrace my “creative piles” that adorn our home in support of giving kids art.

I am indebted to the Arts & Healing Initiative (https://artsandhealinginitiative.org/) for their invaluable training opportunities and resources. Their dedication to transforming lives through creative expression mirrors our own mission, and I wholeheartedly recommend their workshops and programs to educators, parents, and all those invested in the well-being of young minds.

A debt of gratitude is owed to the legendary Pablo Picasso, whose art ignited my passion from an early age, and whose words birthed the vision of Give Kids Art: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Finally, I extend my thanks to all artists, known and yet to be discovered, who boldly share their creations with the world. Your fearless creativity and unwavering dedication serve as a wellspring of inspiration for us all, reinforcing the boundless potential within each of us to be artists in our own unique way.

Website: https://www.givekidsart.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givekidsart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/give-kids-art

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/givekidsart

Image Credits
Screenshot of post by @HumanRightsFirst shows an image provided by Human Rights First of an asylum-seeking child who participated in our art workshops series through their social impact programming project, “Vida sin Fronteras” (“Life without Borders”). Credit: HumanRightsFirst.org. The remaining photos were contributed by various individuals in support of Give Kids Art.