"COVID-19: Keira & YAI Need Your Help!"

Hi! 

My name is Keira and I love singing, dancing and performing.  I found out about YAI in 2017, when I was nine years old.  I had never been in a show before.  I was in the ensemble of Mulan Jr.  I had so much fun and learned a lot about theater and also about being part of a team.  We all look out for each other and help each other to do our best.

Since that summer, I have been in four other YAI shows, including a variety show and a show that the cast got to write ourselves.  My voice has gotten stronger and so have I!  Recently, I was cast as Young Elsa in Frozen Jr.!  I was excited to have another chance to grow as a performer.  I have gotten more confident.  I know how to project my voice and be heard.

I have gotten to work with many professional directors, choreographers and music directors.  My school doesn't have a theater program, so I am glad YAI is here.  They give scholarships too, so everyone can do it no matter what.

I'm hoping you'll help support YAI, because it's so great!  Everyone there is so welcoming and treat you like family. PLUS it's giving kids the experience of theater!  So please help us out and donate so YAI can keep giving scholarships and helping kids tell our stories through theater.

Today we need Your Help! We have a personal goal of raising a minimum of $1,500 for this great cause. If 15 friends donate $100 then the goal is met and done. If you are saying you can donate more - GREAT! If you are in a place to give even $5-$10-$20-$50 - AWESOME! We need your help to see this company exist for another 16 years helping Minnesota youth! :)

If you wanna see some of the fun stuff going on currently - Check out our Facebook page at - https://www.facebook.com/youngartistsmn/

P.S If you have any questions about YAI or what this great day means - message us!

Thank you again for your consideration to support YAI and us!.

-  Keira Rose, YAI Participant 

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Keep YAI Strong & Support Young Artists!

Like all of us, Young Artists Initiative (YAI) has been watching the moving target that is the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past few weeks we have made difficult decisions to mitigate financial loss, keeping the safety of our community at the forefront. We have currently suspended all summer outreach, new 2020 gatherings and events, and in person organizational meetings till June 20th, 2020 and (sadly) are prepared for the possibility we may also need to cancel our YAI Summer Theater Experience of Freaky Friday.  We will make this decision by June 1, and in the meantime are preparing for the possibility of offering this program in a social-distanced format, consistent with CDC, WHO and MN Department of Health guidance.

These measures will not be enough to recover from the financial blow the pandemic has caused. That’s why we’re joining GiveMN’s special #GIVEATHOMEMN campaign, with a goal of $10,000 to help us open our doors as soon as we are allowed, rehire our artists and staff, and move forward with all hands on deck to welcome our young artists for the summer and fall experiences. We have already secured a grant to support this show, but without the ability to offer live performances to ticket buyers, we'll need help to be able to pay the artistic staff who make up the largest share of our program budget.

We ask this humbly, knowing that this pandemic has likely also affected your family's financial situation or other organizations you support. These are difficult times for everyone indeed and I know the challenges faced in considering donations at this time. 

Recently a YAI parent suggested a helpful way to ask for support: Ask people if they have noticed a difference in their child or the child they are connected to in YAI. Have they shown more confidence or comfort in who they are as a person? Have they grown in their work ethic, friendships, or goals? Does YAI bring this child joy? If they can answer yes, ask them one more question. How can you help support this place, this village that brings these wonderful things into these kids lives? 

If your response to these questions is yes, please give what you can now, so YAI can continue to be a place where youth can grow, laugh, be challenged, and share their artistic passion and joy with each other. We cannot do this without your support… now more than ever.

Make an investment in Minnesota's young people!