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Two Upstream Arts participants sitting down outside. One is raising their hands to the sky while the other looks on.

Cover image for Upstream Arts Annual Report 2021: Advocacy is (an) Art

Our new 2020-2021 Annual Report is here!

Featuring stories, financials, quotes, photos and more from a year like no other. Read about our work in this beautiful report available in accessible PDF, screen reader-friendly text, and – coming soon! – narrated audio.

Read the Report

WHAT WE DO:

ADULT PROGRAMS

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

ONLINE CLASSES FOR INDIVIDUALS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Performers sing the closing song with arms upraised.

PERFORMANCES & EXHIBITS

Browse our library of 30+ short arts-learning videos that you can do at home!

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“Julie and I created Upstream Arts because we recognized that at the core of engagement and communication is a give and take, an action and reaction, a listening and responding. We knew from personal experience that the arts were a perfect medium through which to practice these fundamental human skills.”

Matt Guidry

Co-Founder and Artistic Director

READ IN SMALL MOMENTS

In Small Moments: Self Advocacy is (an) Art

by Julie Guidry | 08/16/2021 | In Small Moments, Reflection | 0 Comments

Video highlight reel from Upstream Arts' late 2020/early 2021 online classes for and with adults with disabilities. July 1st, 2021 marked the first day of Upstream Arts’ 16th year of practice, and the first major initiative we sent forth into the community was a...

15 years and 10,000 hours

by Julie Guidry | 06/28/2021 | Advocacy, In Small Moments, Reflection | 1 Comment

June 30, 2021 marks the completion of 15 years of Upstream Arts working with and alongside people with disabilities of all ages to share creative experiences, to work towards understanding and inclusion, and to share space together. These experiences have mostly...

Let’s Re•Focus One More Time

by Julie Guidry | 06/21/2021 | Advocacy, In Small Moments, Reflection | 0 Comments

Let’s Re•Focus, One More Time Before we officially close out our 2020-21 fiscal year, our 15th year and one that has been like no other, I want to revisit Re•Focus, our online portrait exhibit closing June 30, just one more time. One more time to experience stories...

In Small Moments: Changing one thing

by Julie Guidry | 10/05/2020 | In Small Moments, Reflection | 1 Comment

Julie Guidry describes how the nursing shortage at their son’s group home is impacting the family – and inspiring them to adapt.

In Small Moments: Silence and Understanding

by Julie Guidry | 07/14/2020 | In Small Moments, Reflection | 10 Comments

As we collectively adapt to stay connected, Co-Founder and Artistic Director Matt Guidry illustrates Upstream Arts’ philosophy and practice through beautiful stories of small moments in classrooms and connecting with his own son, Caleb. I rocked my adult son to sleep...

In Small Moments: Finding Togetherness

by Julie Guidry | 05/05/2020 | In Small Moments, Reflection | 1 Comment

As we adapt and innovate to stay connected, Artistic Director Matt Guidry shares some of Upstream Arts' best practices so that those who are sheltering at home, out of school, or isolated from usual activities can practice creativity and social connection. Welcome to...

In Small Moments: Creatively Connecting

by Upstream Arts | 04/21/2020 | In Small Moments, Reflection | 0 Comments

As we adapt and innovate to stay connected, Artistic Director Matt Guidry shares some of Upstream Arts' best practices so that those who are sheltering at home, out of school, or isolated from usual activities can practice creativity and social connection. Welcome to...

In Small Moments: How We Practice Invitation

by Upstream Arts | 04/13/2020 | In Small Moments, Reflection | 0 Comments

As we adapt and innovate to stay connected, Artistic Director Matt Guidry shares some of Upstream Arts' best practices so that those who are sheltering at home, out of school, or isolated from usual activities can practice creativity and social connection. Welcome to...

In Small Moments: Notes on Practice with Matt Guidry

by Upstream Arts | 04/06/2020 | In Small Moments, Reflection | 1 Comment

As we adapt and innovate to stay connected, Artistic Director Matt Guidry shares some of Upstream Arts' best practices so that those who are sheltering at home, out of school, or isolated from usual activities can practice creativity and social connection. Welcome to...