Over $200,000 raised for student scholarships during Act for Art 2024
443 people gave during the three-day fundraising event earlier this month.
Thanks to the commitment of many dedicated supporters, the fourth annual Act for Art Giving Days was a powerful groundswell of support for young artists and their families. Thank you to all who gave: your contributions are a testament to the generosity of this community, and the desire to invest in the future of the arts. Working together, 443 donors made gifts totaling $201,775 to support students’ financial aid needs in the coming Camp and Academy year.
The alumni, employee, and parent participation challenges were all met! 172 alumni, 108 employees and 153 parents joined in. The generosity of these employees and parents unlocked a combined $82,850 for student scholarships.
141 energetic, committed volunteers created peer-to-peer campaigns, made videos, posted on social media, pledged seed or challenge gifts, and helped in the thanking effort. Additionally, 37 Arts Academy students came to the May 1 kick-off party on campus, completing various volunteer actions to spread the word and send appreciation to donors. Arts Academy alumni, students, and parents; Arts Camp alumni and parents; faculty and staff; Camp Ambassadors; the Academy’s Student Philanthropy Team; the Interlochen Annual Fund Committee; the Interlochen Engagement Council; and the Campus Philanthropy Ambassadors all participated.
Our volunteers worked together to rally the worldwide Interlochen community, sharing the positive message that everyone participating in the way they can is powerful. People of all ages, backgrounds, and geographies took part in the effort. Jian Wu, a parent volunteer in Beijing, China, has volunteered each year for Act for Art, and braved the 12 hour time difference to participate in the volunteer kick-off call before the giving days started! Jian said, “It’s a great experience to meet other contributors during Act for Art, to feel the enthusiasm of the community! No happiness can compare to the feeling when seeing our next generations thrive in a fantastic kingdom like Interlochen. Due to busy work and high travel costs we cannot visit often, but we think attending some events/activities is another sort of participation that helps us feel closer to our son and Interlochen.”
Here are just a few of the heartfelt and inspiring messages we received during Act for Art. You can see all of the comments on the donor roll at the bottom of the Act for Art page.
“Thank you IAA for giving our family just what our daughter and grandson needed.”
“Hooray for Act for Art! Interlochen has brought so many wonderful people into my life, through Camp, Academy, and as an intern-it’s an honor and pleasure to give back!”
“I am incredibly grateful for the scholarship support that allowed my son to attend Camp and Academy. He would not be the organist he is today were it not for Interlochen and the dedication of his teacher, Tom Bara.”
“I donate as an Evergreen sustainer, but always give a little extra during the Act For Art campaign to help support young artists to blossom at Interlochen.”
“Interlochen meant the world to me as a kid! I did my four high school summers and my senior year of high school there. Met friends that I still have to this day!”
“We donate to Act for Art in hopes of helping other young artists find their way home. Interlochen has changed the life of our student. It has provided her with a place where she has a true sense of belonging and community. She has continually faced medical challenges throughout her junior and senior years at the Academy. The beyond incredible theatre and academic faculty, not to mention the devoted college counseling and psychological support staff, have done nothing but stand behind her, encourage her, and accommodate her. They have been the wind in her sails that has enabled her to face the storms in her life while still chasing after her artistic dreams.”
“Interlochen has been a beautiful experience for my daughter. We will forever be supporters so other kids have the same opportunity!”
“There is no other place in the world like Interlochen. Here, anyone, of any age, and any ability, can embrace the artist within and find their people and their purpose. It is an honor and a joy to be a part of this wonderful community.”
“I give because the arts have the power to shape and change our world for the better. This special place and these remarkable people help young artists find their voice, hone their craft, and rise to their full potential so they can be the change they want to see.”
Another resounding thank you to all who gave or volunteered for coming together to make Act for Art a success for young artists and their big dreams!
