More Than Art
Wishlists for More Than Art, a program designed and run by Tiffany, our 2023 Create! Birthparent Arts Grant winner, are now available! Each participant has an identical list of supplies necessary to participate in this program, and we need your help to make sure everyone has all the tools they need to use art-making as a catalyst for healing. Their individual wishlists are on Amazon, so that supplies will be sent directly to each of them, and every item listed is really affordable, making it easy to help even on a tight budget. Just pick a list or two below, add items to your cart, and give birthparents an opportunity to be creative without the burden of having to purchase everything they need to make art and have fun.
All wish lists have been fulfilled.
Watch this space for information on how to apply for the 2024 Create! Birthparent Arts Grant.
If you would like to help support this program, donations can be made here.
You are someone's child, a caretaker, a friend, a courageous, selfless person, and you are MORE than a birthmom.
So when finding acceptance to the continual relentless process of grief of placing a child, a birthmother's journey is more than just healing.
Through the CREATE! Art Grant, a creative art therapy program, More Than Art is accepting applications for a birthmother art therapy group, held virtually on Zoom. The group will consist of 4 90-minute sessions: April 7th, April 21st, May 5th, and May 19th at 3pm CST. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.
Each session will focus on a different part of the adoption triad. This will be a safe space to process and work through your adoption journey.
You do not need to consider yourself an artist, and if the last time you held a paintbrush was in grade school, this is the program for you! Instead of focusing on talking to others about specific challenges within your adoption, this group will focus on using art as a form of expression... for those emotions that are hard to name.
So if you're willing to show up and get your hands a little colorful, please apply. Participants will receive necessary materials.
Program Participant Expectations
Commitment: Making a commitment to yourself and the group to be on-time and attend all four sessions.
Be Honest and Authentic: The best work is done when you are being your true self.
Confidentiality: What is shared in group stays in group unless otherwise noted. In order to protect the sacredness of this safe space, sharing of contact information with other participants during the duration of the group is not allowed.
Respect: Everyone is coming into group with a different placing experience and different circumstances. It is vital everyone is respectful of other views and mindful when sharing their own.
Actively Engage: Be present the best you can during group. Outside of group, respond to communications in a timely manner.
Art Focus: This group will focus on exploring various parts of the triad of adoption through the process of creative arts. Participants understand and accept that this is not a support group for crisis, traumas or related mental health diagnosis.
8 spots are available. In order to best assess if More Than Art is the right fit for you, please answer all questions. Unfortunately, we will not be able to consider incomplete applications. Thank you!
By submitting this application, you agree to the terms of the program and commit to being an engaged participant for all four sessions.
- Please note that although this group will have a therapeutic approach, this is not a therapy group. It is recommended that you are connected to a therapist or mental health professional.
- If selected as a participant you will be given the opportunity to submit your artwork to be featured in an online birthmother art showcase and/or to be used for future On Your Feet advocacy, marketing, and communications. This will not be a requirement for participation and more details will be provided to participants. Submissions can be credited to the participant or may be anonymous.
The More Than Art Group will take place on the following Sundays: April 7th, April 21st, May 5th, and May 19th at 3PM CST (4PM EST, 1PM PST). The group will run for 90 minutes. Before submitting your application, please confirm that you can commit to the session dates. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.
Please Note: This is a small group and we will not be able to include every applicant. In order for this program to be a positive experience for everyone involved, it is important that selected participants are present and engaged for all 4 sessions. We understand that schedules change and things come up; if you are selected for this unique opportunity, but determine that you are no longer able to attend all 4 sessions, you agree to notify our Case Management team a minimum of 14 days before the first session so that a new participant may be selected and materials delivered to them in time. Failure to attend all 4 sessions may result in exclusion from future program and grant opportunities.
