The mission of Upstream Arts is to enhance the lives of adults and youth with disabilities by fostering creative communication and social independence through the power of arts education.

We integrate individuals with cognitive, developmental, emotional, behavioral and physical disabilities in arts programming designed to develop social and communication skills vital to success in school, work and life. In our programs, local professional artists—including actors, musicians, poets, visual artists and dancers—lead arts activities that nurture self- expression, conversation, and group participation.

Upstream Arts was founded in 2006 by parents of a child with disabilities that witnessed first hand the positive impact of the arts on their son’s ability to communicate and engage with those around him. Since then, Upstream Arts has grown exponentially, drawing on research and best practices to provide a unique, arts based approach to addressing social skill deficits common in individuals with a variety of disabilities.

While people with disabilities continue to have limited access to the arts and as arts programming in schools becomes more and more scarce, our programs provide the opportunity to an underserved population to write, act, dance, paint, imagine and sing. In the process our participants interact with some of the Twin Cities' most exciting and accomplished artists.

We carry out programs in schools, with Transition programs, Parks and Recreation programs, and with prominent disability service providers around the metro area like the Autism Society of Minnesota, Lifeworks and Special Olympics. As the only local arts organization to deliberately impact social and communication skills development, we have an in-depth relationship with Minneapolis Public Schools Special Education Department, and have aligned both our curriculum and evaluation tool with their standards and assessment tools. We also present at conferences and carry out trainings for school staff and local professionals on arts based programming and teaching methods that address individuals with disabilities.

Keep up to date on our latest activities and programs at www.upstreamarts.org

Check out WCCO, Ch.4's coverage of Upstream Arts on their morning school report:
http://www.wcco.com/video/?id=68593@wcco.dayport.com

Join our fan page, or become a member of the group "Friends of Upstream Arts" on Facebook.

ACT.WRITE.DANCE.PAINT.SING.IMAGINE.EXPERIENCE.CREATE.
COMMUNICATE.SOCIALIZE.LEARN.