Water Street Studios leads campaign to support arts in the Fox Valley on Giving Tuesday Nov. 27

Water Street Studios in Batavia invited more than 30 arts-related individuals, organizations and funders in the Fox Valley area to participate in a video campaign to support the arts this Giving Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday is a global giving movement to support the mission of nonprofits in all sectors of service.

The giving day takes place every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Danielle Hollis, executive director of Water Street Studios, said, "This year I wanted to go above and beyond to unite our community to support a common cause - the arts. All too often nonprofit organizations are competing against one another for funding and support, but I want to show the impact that arts organizations can have when we work together by fostering collaboration over competition.

"As they say, 'a rising tide lifts all ships,' and that's what I hope for the arts in the Fox Valley region this Giving Tuesday," Hollis said.

Artists and representatives from Paramount Theatre, Dunham Fund, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, Water Street Studios, Fox Valley Music Foundation, St. Charles Arts Council, Kiss the Sky, The Book Shop, The Republic of Letters, Batavia Depot Museum, Waterline Writers, Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, and the City of Batavia showed their support for the arts by sharing their testimonials about why "the arts" matter to them in a video directed and filmed at Water Street Studios.

The video can be viewed online at Water Street Studio's YouTube channel.

Mark your calendars and make the arts a priority this Giving Tuesday from noon to midnight Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Water Street Studios welcomes your support for the art education and outreach programs.

The goal is to raise $20,737 for art supplies, instructors, and classroom space so Water Street Studios can continue offering high quality art education and outreach programs to the Fox Valley region and beyond.

On Nov. 27, Stacey and Paul Sargent are offering a "Morning Coffee Challenge." The Sargent family invites you to start the day off right by making a donation to Water Street Studios. The Sargent's pledge to match $1 for $1 up to $1,000 for all donations made between the hours of 7 and 9 a.m. Central.

Later in the evening, Christine and Drew McFadden are offering a "Happy Hour Challenge." The McFadden family wants to cheer you on with a $1 for $1 match up to $1,000 between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. (Central Time) Nov. 27.

View Water Street Studios' Giving Tuesday campaign at www.ilgive.com/organizations/water-street-studios.

Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St., is a nonprofit art center located in Batavia. Its mission is to help make the arts more accessible to the Fox Valley region and beyond. Its vision is to be a cultural hub in the Midwest. They provide the Fox Valley community with art classes, artist studios, community events, gallery exhibitions, free after-school art programs, outreach, private events in a historic venue, and more. Learn more by visiting www.waterstreetstudios.org.

Support the arts on Giving Tuesday

“The arts represent the best of us, whether they speak about the light in the world or the dark in the world, they can compel us to something greater.” — James Joseph, The Book Shop Batavia and Waterline Writers

“Art is a lifeline; a space where we can take all the pain, all the hurt, and alchemize it, understand it and spin it into gold so that it not only helps you, but it helps someone else as well. Art is magic.” — Cathy Borders, The Republic of Writers and Waterline Writers

“I believe in supporting organizations that cultivate the arts in the community. Our support empowers artists and helps arts organizations to thrive. Giving Tuesday allows you to give back to the community.” — Becky Blaine, Fine Line Creative Art Center

“I support the students who struggle in a traditional learning environment, the veteran, the cancer patient, and all others for whom art is everything and without art would struggle each and every day.” — Jessica Breugelmans

“The arts play a critical role in ensuring that this area remain strongly supportive of self- expression, which is a key element of progressive, exciting, and stimulating community.” — Bill McGrath

“Artists are dreamers and dreams are realities in other worlds. I support the arts so we can send many dreamers out to transform our world.” — Atala Dorothy Toy