Art With a Heart is a unique organization which provides a much-needed service to the youth of Indianapolis. I recently had the privilege of working with Art With a Heart's leadership, staff and board to formulate their strategic planning. The dedication to delivering high-quality, life changing programming via the arts was extremely impressive. Even more important was the constant desire to improve and expand their services to create much needed, generational improvement for our city.

I am a nonprofit marketing and development consultant with more than a decade of experience specifically in the arts and arts education programs. I have worked with the Art with a Heart staff and board for the last year and a half in a consulting and advisory role. The organization has grown tremendously during that time and I know that they are making solid and sound business and program decisions that equate to lean operation and reaching more people with their programs and services.

Art with a Heart is a life-changing organization for underserved youth. The programs are not focused just on artistic product but on personal growth and development - meaningful engagement and personal development through arts education.

I have been so moved by the work of the organization that, after offering advice many times from a consulting standpoint, I found myself giving of my own time and money to help the staff better achieve their ambitious goals. The organization is one of the most well run I have encountered in Indianapolis and I am honored to be associated with their powerful mission to provide hands-on visual arts experiences that educate and inspire at-risk children. Those who have not witnessed their work yet are missing a remarkable opportunity.