Today we’d like to introduce you to Nan Young.
Hi Nan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
About 35 years ago I started an arts program at an elementary school where my 2 children were to attend. This entire story is on our web site and in several pod casts… but… in a nutshell…
My son was in Kinder in the local school district and daughter scheduled to attend in 2 years. I was told she needed to attend a special school for all students with disabilities, as she has cerebral palsy. Not happy with that assessment of “all children with a disability” I made a deal with the wonderful principal; I would create a unique and high quality visual and performing arts program for all students in exchange for a ramp and a rail, which was needed for my daughter’s enrollment and attendance. (Pre ADA) Long view…Daughter became the first student with cerebral palsy in our district to attend k-12th grade in all regular ed classes! Both of my kids have gone on to higher ed, married, kids, etc. Happy ending there…
Parallel story with that arts program: It took off with 40 or so volunteers at that original elementary school, was invited to several other schools, I started paying art teachers, became a non-profit in 2006, has been situated in 4 studios ( only one at a time but bigger each time! ) after a decade in my home!
Currently Art Trek, Inc employs approximately 100 people and serves up to 100,000 people per year via community and school programs. Our 4th and largest studio is 16,350 square feet of pure color and well organized materials, work spaces, gathering spaces, and celebration.
We partner and work with dozens of other non-profits and sometimes for profits.
See info.org
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?
Surprisingly, the road has been pretty darn smooth.
Perhaps the slow growth until post Covid allowed me and our team to learn deeply and slowly over the years. We have deep roots and a mighty trunk! Many of us have worked together since the beginning and through the post Covid growth, as well.
We have always had amazing Advisory Board members.
Although right now we are comfortable financially and now give back to the community substantially, we have been less flush historically. However, we haver never been at the point of disbanding the arts programs.
After Covid our programming grew 10 fold so we hired MANY hew arts teachers, Our staff maxed at 145 as we put teams together who could support each other. We have let attrition balance the staff out and now have a smaller but strong staff.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I think I mentioned, my personal life and work life intersect as my family loves Art Trek and I love and have included the arts in so much of my family’s life via our home, who our friends are and how we celebrate, where we travel and what we do with time.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Love to bike ride long distance and travel with my husband of 45 years!
Love to collaborate and create partnerships.
Love dinners and hikes with friends.
Love my grown up and amazing kids and 3 grandsons!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arttrek.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arttrekinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arttrekinc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@arttrekinc
