Orphan Art, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that delivers art supplies and instruction to orphanages in remote areas of the world. The organization’s personnel provide instructions and support to the orphanage’s personnel and the children to assist them in creating works of art. Orphan Art then brings the artwork back to the United States in order to bring it to a worldwide marketplace, and sell the artwork in various forms. Proceeds from the sales of the artwork are returned to the participating orphanages to allow them to further enhance the economic self-sufficiency of the children and their community. Additionally, the process of creating the artwork allows the orphans an opportunity to build self-esteem, self -expression, and a sense of participation in providing for their own future.

Beginning in 2007, the organization will expand its operations to include facilitating student art teaching internships to participating orphanages. This will entail developing relationships with art colleges to offer a quarter abroad teaching art in one of the participating orphanages. Orphan Art will provide a liaison to assist in travel and initial classroom logistics for the visiting university students. Orphan Art has initiated conversations with the Ringling College of Art in Sarasota, Florida, and the Art College at University of Oregon, in Eugene, Oregon. Other Art colleges will be contacted and added throughout the coming year.

Another aspect to be mentioned about this organization are the opportunities for “adventure travel”. Individuals who wish to volunteer their time will be accompanied to participating orphanages to spend a period of time, usually one or two weeks, teaching the orphans painting, pottery, music, and other forms of art. Individuals who wish to donate any other type of expertise will gladly be accompanied as well, if need be. Orphan Art will not charge for this.

By utilizing the children’s own artwork to generate revenue, that is then returned to the children, they become empowered to influence their own future. No other charitable organization is utilizing this particular strategy. This dynamic exchange, coupled with the strength of the market for artwork, provides Orphan Art with a virtually unlimited opportunity for growth and success.
The advent of the Internet and the move towards a more global economy has provided Orphan Art with precisely the right environment to flourish. By capitalizing on these opportunities the organization can deliver a service to children throughout the world, and offer highly desirable goods to a marketplace with little in the way of space and overhead requirements.

Orphan Art, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 organization.