What A Load Of Scrap Creative Reuse Center
Our mission is to divert art materials from the landfill and get them to artists, families and educators at a low cost.
Project Description
- Our mission is to prevent items that can be used for art from entering our landfills and recycling centers. We will take donations of art materials and get them to artists, families and educators in our community.
- Locally, our county is running out of space at our one landfill and have also had to limit which items they can recycle. Additionally, during the COVID-19 crisis, many parents are unexpectedly educating their children at home with reduced income, and traditional educators are always in need of low-cost supplies as our county’s budget is ever- declining. Our community houses a growing arts district, but no art supply stores leaving only box stores and major online retailers as options, which is environmentally unsustainable and cost-prohibitive as well as taking funds out of our local economy and placing them with already wealthy corporations.
- Our county’s population is 100,000 and since we will serve a diverse clientele of artists, families and educators, we hope to serve a significant portion of that population. Furthermore, the nearest creative reuse center is approximately 50 miles away, which makes donations and purchases impossible for many members of our community as well as at least 5 neighboring counties.
- We will divert household clutter through donations pickup and drop off. Items we will receive such as partially used paint, sewing materials, and wood scraps may end up in landfills or as pollution, but we will make sure they are received by people who can reuse them. Certain plastics and other recyclables such as bottle caps and packing materials are no longer accepted by our recycling facilities, but can be used by members of the community in a variety of creative ways. Through starting with donated materials and funds, our prices will remain low so that art and creative education are obtainable for all members of our community. We will give back to our community by hosting community outreach and classes on how to create sustainable art as well as a gallery space for local students and artists to display and sell their art.
- We are a grassroots, nonprofit organization aiming to serve our community in a sustainable way. All funds received will be used to secure and furnish a storefront and apply for nonprofit status. Any additional funds left over after these startup costs will be used to build a website and begin community outreach programs.
- This project is the brainchild of local artist, Meredith Elmore. We will rely on Meredith’s husband Drew Elmore and friend volunteers until we build our cash flow to hire employees.
- If you cannot contribute financially, we understand! Other ways you can help are to donate your items that can be used for arts and crafts, shelving or materials to build shelves and to share our social media and this campaign with everyone you know.
- Thank you for any contribution large or small. This project has the potential to make a great impact on our local economy and environment. We appreciate and love our community and hope to serve you well.
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
Please contact us on Instagram with your questions and/or feedback and we will answer them here and directly to you.
Just Because I Care
If you contribute at least $25, you will receive a sticker to show that you care about sustainable arts programs in our community.
If you contribute at least $50, you will receive a T-shirt to show that you care about sustainable arts in our community.
If you contribute $100, you will receive a tote bag to show you care about sustainable arts in our community. Bring it in and fill it for free once we’re open!
Rewards
Just Because I Care
If you contribute at least $25, you will receive a sticker to show that you care about sustainable arts programs in our community.
If you contribute at least $50, you will receive a T-shirt to show that you care about sustainable arts in our community.
If you contribute $100, you will receive a tote bag to show you care about sustainable arts in our community. Bring it in and fill it for free once we’re open!