Interning with Free Arts

Pom-poms, tissue paper, crayons, markers, glue, acrylic paint, tempera paint, colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolor paper, decorative paper, buttons, beads, glitter, fabric, ribbon, and yarn overwhelmed me as I stood in the supply closet wondering where to begin organizing this huge tangle of supplies. As I finally settled on consolidating three bins of colored pencils into one huge tub, my mind started to think about the hands that will use these colored pencils, the hearts that will be changed, and the way I am changing lives simply by taming the mess of supplies.


Working as an intern in the Free Arts office gives me a new perspective of Free Arts Minnesota. My mentorship experience is greatly enhanced because I understand the planning, preparation, and commitment necessary to ensure that all programs are running smoothly. I am given the opportunity to learn about each site and understand the power of healing through art in many different populations. Events like Maiden Minnesota and the Free Arts Breakfast provided me with the valuable experience of seeing a fundraising event happen from start to finish. Most importantly, I understand the extent to which Free Arts touches lives, and I am motivated every day to be a part of this mission.

The five of us, Kat, Haley, Sarah, Julia and I each have different skills, interests, and abilities, but we all have a passion for the work that Free Arts does. It is exciting to work with such unique people who share a common interest. The staff at Free Arts is small, but that works to our benefit. Because of the tight-knit community, we are given continuous support. The small staff allows us interns to participate in more than just filing papers; we actively engage in the mission of Free Arts by “bringing the healing power of artistic expression into the lives of abused, neglected and at-risk children and their families.”

Colored pencils are just the beginning. The options for art projects are endless, but when I leave my mentor session I take home more than a ‘neat’ new craft. I take away a feeling of accomplishment for brightening someone else’s day, a feeling of empathy for understanding life from the perspective of a child, and a broader knowledge base for me to make sense of the world. Finally, when I leave my mentor session, I feel satisfied that I am learning to help the kids in our program cope with what they are going through from both a social and an administrative standpoint. I’ve learned that both approaches are necessary to reach the kids and families we serve. One cannot exist without the other.

-Rebecca Johnson