Weakley Arts Can (WAC), a local arts advocacy non-profit, is looking for college students to volunteer with programming throughout the 2020 calendar year.
The organization, founded in 2019, serves to promote and support art education/awareness within the schools and community of Weakley County. One of the many ways they do this is through community events and involvement. WAC needs the help of art lovers who want to see the arts thrive in the lives of kids and the surrounding community.
Volunteers are needed for events like art shows, fundraisers and community outreach events. Art shows are a way for local students and artists to display their work or talents. WAC fundraisers help support local schools with funding for art-related supplies, experiences and material.
The most important aspect of programing for WAC is, however, the community outreach events. These include art contests and series throughout the summer and fall. WAC shows up at concerts, festivals and parades to promote art education and get families involved in creating art.
Volunteers play a crucial role in all programming by helping with the execution of events, encouraging others to participate in the arts and by showing young students that the arts are for everyone.
Katie Mantooth, co-president of WAC, recently expressed why WAC is such a great organization for students to volunteer with.
“Weakley Arts Can is a wonderful opportunity for UT Martin students to volunteer their time and talents to expand arts opportunities in our area. While initially, the willingness to volunteer may come from a personal passion for music, art, dance, theatre, etc., students can potentially reap additional rewards. With problem solving the number one skill sought by employers across all disciplines and fields, what better way to work on practicing it – as well as other soft skills? Additionally, students may learn tangible skills like grant writing, social media management, website design, event planning, and more. Finally, it is a way for students to interact with a fabulously diverse group of community members and campus professionals where they may grow their network, find mentors and perhaps develop lifelong friendships,” Mantooth said.
Through raising awareness, partnering with the school board and involving art teachers, WAC has already made an impact in the local schools. They have helped the school system hire an additional middle school music teacher, assisted in developing a countywide high school theatre program and promoted/executed art shows for students. Parents are also getting behind the movement by supporting their kids in art/music programs and encouraging the school board to support the arts within the schools.
Through the help of volunteers, WAC hopes to see the arts community grow, not only within the surrounding public schools, but also throughout the county. Long term, the organization hopes to spread into neighboring counties, the region and the rest of the state.
Students can email the organization at weakleyartscan@gmail.com, or check out www.weakleyartscan.org for more information on events, volunteering or how to donate.
For donations, WAC is partnered with the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Any and all donations are tax exempt.
