Artitudes Design Inc.
Company: Artitudes Design Inc., Issaquah, WA U.S.A.
Company Description: Artitudes Design Inc. is a full service graphic design firm that specializes in executive and senior leadership communications within the high tech, retail and non-profit verticals through customized presentations, marketing, and branding solutions. Founded in 1995 by CEO and Creative Principal, Andrea Heuston, Artitudes Design employs 15 people.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Community Involvement Program of the Year
Nomination Title: Artitudes Design Inc. - Artitudes in Action: Art Docent Campaign
Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated company during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):
As the CEO & Creative Principal of Artitudes Design Inc., Andrea Heuston
strongly believes in creating and cultivating a culture of giving back to the
community. She works with her team and partner organizations to create
programs that help others realize their potential.
In 2007, Andrea filled a growing need by providing arts education to local
elementary schools through the company’s Artitudes in Action: Art Docent
Campaign. Because art programs have been consistently cut, the teachers
and schools look to the community to fill the gap. Andrea saw an
opportunity for Artitudes to step up and implement an essential art program.
Artitudes, a graphic design firm in the Seattle area, partners with schools
and works with them to select classes with the greatest need for art
instruction. Employees then volunteer their time as art docents which gives
them the opportunity to give back to the community with something they are
passionate about – art.
Team members create sample art projects, write lesson plans, purchase
supplies or use recycled materials, coordinate with an elementary school
and then teach the lesson to the class. If classes are focusing on a specific
topic, such as the Lewis & Clark expedition, the docents will tailor their
lesson plans to that subject. Recently, the docents did a project based on
Monet’s landscapes, as a 5th grade class was learning about
impressionism. The lesson included tearing magazines into pieces and
creating an impressionistic landscape on paper.
Artitudes mainly focuses on using recycled materials for three reasons: to
keep out-of-pocket costs low, to be environmentally conscious and to be
able to reach the students that want to recreate the projects on their own
time. Every child has a unique learning style and creative strength, therefore
the company focuses on different types of tools and mediums, including
painting, drawing and sculpture.
In 2009, the company stepped up its efforts to serve more children and
leverage the media to highlight this growing issue. As of last year, the art
campaign had reached over 450 students in various elementary schools
throughout the region. Several area newspapers showcased the campaign,
resulting in donations of recycled art supplies and inquiries about becoming
volunteer docents. The next phase of the campaign will be to become a
fully functioning non-profit organization focused on K-6 arts education in the
Seattle area.
Art instruction is an essential tool in the development of a child. It is a
critical building block in developing cognitive and creative skills. Artitudes In
Action is just one program that ensures that children keep art inspiration
alive for the artists and graphic designers of tomorrow.
List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:
*425 Magazine – In the magazine's "Best of" issue, Artitudes was
nominated by readers as runner up for Most Giving and Best Small
Business. It won "Best of" for Best Office.
http://www.425magazine.com/best_of_425_winners.php
*Artitudes Art Docent Program – Issaquah Press, WA USA
http://www.issaquahpress.com/2010/07/20/creating-art-with-an-attitude-for-learning/
*Artitudes Art Docent Program – Bothell Reporter, WA USA
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/north_king/bkn/community/95285364.html
*Artitudes Art Docent Program – Woodinville Weekly, WA USA
http://www.nwnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1438:art-
docents-help-fill-budget-gap&catid=34:news&Itemid=72
Provide a brief biography of the person or persons who lead the nominated company (up to 100 words):
Andrea Heuston, CEO & Creative Principal of Artitudes Design, is a leader
in the graphic design industry with over 20 years of experience. Artitudes, a
full service graphic design firm incorporated in 2005, specializes in
executive and senior leadership communications through customized
presentations, marketing, and branding solutions. Andrea strongly believes
in volunteerism, philanthropy, arts education, advocating the prevention of
child abuse, and striving for a work/life balance. She serves on the Olive
Crest Board of Directors and NW Next Leader’s Council and has been
honored to be a 40 Under 40 award recipient by the Puget Sound Business
Journal for being a top business leader.