The Why:
Here at Evanston Art Makers Outpost, there are 3 core values at the heart of everything we do and who we are, from our classes to our concerts to our private events.
1. rEUSING AND rEPURPOSING
It is up to all of us to improve the Earth. The environmental challenges our planet is facing means that we must greatly change the ways we think about material usage & waste. We must engage in creative reuse and repurposing of waste and excess.
At Evanston Art Makers Outpost we strive to ensure that 75% or more of our materials are sourced from the scraps and leftovers of local businesses and community members. If you’re interested in donating supplies, please visit our Materials Contributions page for more information!
2. iMAGINATION AND cREATION
Art is the life-blood of many communities, ours here in Evanston embodies that fully. Self expression through art is magical, fulfilling and growth inducing both individually and for community building. We nurture creativity and encourage experimentation with materials and artistic & technical techniques of all kinds, creating opportunities for all to expand their vision of what is possible in our world and look at old materials in new and exciting ways.
Whether they’re a child creating a diorama from corks or an adult creating a mosaic from discarded architectural tile samples, each artist working at AMO is a unique individual coming to AMO to hone their craft or find a new one. Facilitators are always on hand to ensure safe use of our tools and provide the appropriate guidance to all of our artists, it is our greatest inspiration to experience our young and adult artists realize the limitless possibilities before them, and take the reins, this is their studio after all.
3. iNCLUSIVE, dIVERSE, AND eQUITABLE
At the AMO, we are consciously creating a community where we strive to ensure everyone feels welcomed, empowered, and safe to be entirely themselves. Anti-Racism, LGBTQIA+ Safe Space, Empathy, Respect, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity are at the core of how we are building our company. Everyone is welcome at the Outpost.
The owner and facilitators of the Outpost are committed to the journey of anti-racism & fostering an environment of belonging for all. We are working consistently to identify racism, all forms of bigotry and any inequities as we grow our business and are committed to rooting out any and all forms of hate. We strive to be purposeful and immediately correct any issues as they pertain to race, equity, identity, bigotry, diversity, and inclusion.
THE HOW:
We are so grateful to our amazing partners and community. It is with deep gratitude for their support that we’re able to do what we do.
Our business model is based on creative reuse and community partnerships. Our materials come to us from many places and people.
We partner with local businesses to help them identify their usable waste or excess materials that could potentially be repurposed. We partner with community groups dedicated to green initiatives to collaborate and collect materials from various warehouses and organizations along with individual community members. I
Additionally, by engaging with individuals in our community to create regular pick ups and drop offs of materials that are ready for reuse, we are able to assist in fostering a more environmentally aware city that is dedicated to limiting our impact on local landfills. Each of our business & organizational partners are proud to work with us, and we’re proud to work with them. Together, we’re making the world a better greener place.
We love forming partnerships with local and national companies. Please contact us to arrange a pick up, a drop off, or to form a partnership. Learn more about our donations with the link below!