Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Mingo.
Hi Tiffany, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The I AM ARTS Foundation was created for the multi-talented young artists to have an avenue to explore their multiple gifts and talents. It was envisioned by three sisters that were raised in the underserved yet culturally enriched streets of Buffalo, New York. Their humble beginnings aided the development of intense passion, artistry and creativity. The African-American Cultural Center was a community center where exposure to the cultural arts became a lasting impression. Training in the Katherine Dunham technique, traditional West African dance and drum, and Latin and Cuban culture laid the foundation for sound values that would later spark their career endeavors. Moreover, all siblings graduated from the Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts, where each majored in dance, visual art and theater. Their vision was to create an organization where children could be cultivated in the visual and performing Arts; and use the arts to transform their lives.
Launched in 2015, I AM ARTS Foundation was founded to provide a platform of personal expression, cultural awareness and social development through artistic creation and service learning to youth in Atlanta, Georgia. The I AM ARTS Foundation has serviced youth ages 5-18 years old for the past five years with educational learning opportunities, cultural enrichments trips to New York and arts-based Service-learning projects. Our artistic curriculum prepares students to be well-rounded citizens in the arts and creative industries.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have experienced a very colorful road. I AM ARTS originally began through operating with partnering organizations within the city limits. Our goal was to be nestled within the community and bring ARTS to the all. However, the Covid-19 Pandemic made it very difficult to operate under that model due to building closures so we quickly made a shift. We transitioned into a new studio space at the Arts XChange located in East, Point GA and have been growing our programming every since.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a non-for profit 501c3 organization. We provide affordable arts-based educational classes to youth. We also have four performance Company divisions: Prodigy, Apprentice, Junior, and Senior levels. We perform throughout the city and hold two annual productions each year.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We are a multi-functional organization whose vision is to provide wellness through experiential artistic practice and community engagement. Our youth “discover art” through mentorship and engagement in artistic learning with professionals from all over the country. Our youth “create art” by becoming advocates and taking ownership of their artistic practice and our youth “give art” by the art of performance and developing their humanitarian landscape through meaningful community events.
Contact Info:
- Email: iamartsfoundation@gmail.com
- Website: iamartsfoundation.org
- Instagram: iamartsfoundation
- Facebook: iamartsfoundation
Image Credits:
z3 Photography
