As an independent 501 (c)3 nonprofit, UrbArts relies on charitable donations to support our mission. Becoming a member is one way to support us. Other ways of supporting include collecting art through our gallery, booking our artists for performances, or celebrating special moments by reserving our space. Part of this tradition is self-reliance and building community. With your support, we can institutionalize our method for empowering the dispossessed and center the marginalized.

URBARTS
Urban Artist Alliance for Child Development (UrbArts) values the transformation that comes about through exposure to and participation in the arts. Founded in August of 2001 by MK Stallings, our mission is to create platforms and platform creatives for youth and community development. Our purpose is to center marginalized artists so that their agency can effect change in the lives of children, and, together, we can revitalize neglected communities.

Our method for the work we do can be summarized as cultivate, exhibit, excellence, disseminate, and empower. This methodology is based on years of observation of what works in our experience with youth development. The path we choose to educate our young people or improve our communities begins with affirmed artists who are centered by circumstance.

The beginnings of that work is found in our Urban Arts Studios, which focuses curation, repetition, creation, refinement, and experimentation with art. Studio experience often leads to exhibition. Excellence or success in exhibition prepares artists for the critical work of youth and community development. What follows excellence is dissemination of news, cultural capital and reputation. Lastly, we believe spreading these affirming truths facilitates empowerment whether in classrooms or communities.