About
Our Mission
Art Equals empowers everyone to be an artist, providing community-driven accessible opportunities for creative growth and healing.
We want to make creativity accessible to every person, not just those who call themselves artists. At Art Equals, founded by art therapist Charlotte Reed, we work to overcome the barriers that stand in the way to being creative, whether, mental, physical, cultural, economic, or geographic.
We do this by bringing people together in creative communities and by helping each person in that community realize their unique path to creative healing.
Why is creativity important?
Creativity increases people’s to see challenges in life as solvable problems rather than insurmountable barriers.
Creativity allows individuals and groups to reframe situations in ways that make them personally significant, promoting healing and overall increased well-being.
Creativity can be utilized in traditionally creative fields such as writing and art, but it can also enhance math, science, and business.
Creativity increases success in a competitive job market, reported as the number one sought after soft skill.
Why is community important?
Communities are a wealth of collective resources, which can be critically important for those in underserviced or vulnerable populations.
Community satisfies our basic instinct to belong while providing purpose and a space for shared values.
Community promotes prosocial behaviors which research has shown to enhance mental and physical well-being.
Charlotte Reed
Charlotte’s passion for making art accessible to others comes from her own experience as an artist overcoming the challenges of visual impairment. Working in ceramic sculpture, mixed media, bookmaking, and fiber arts, she has exhibited her work in galleries and shows in the Greater Cincinnati Area including the Hyde Park Art Show.
She is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Social Work and received her Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Charlotte’s dedication to healing with a more holistic approach has also led her into further studies of ecotherapy, contemplative therapy, and a focus on the mind-body connection. For more information about Charlotte see her blog.
Our Creative Team
We are proud of our interns who support the work of Art Equals at its every stage. These folks share their unique skills, curiosities, and goals with us during their short-term paid contracts in order to learn from what we do and to help us grow in the process.
If you are interested in joining the team, please feel free to contact info@art-equals.org.
“My time interning at Art Equals was an array of opportunities to flex skills I wanted to hone on a flexible schedule. I designed flyers, social media pieces, and banners for events such as the Woolly Fest, as well as assisting in planning and execution. It was a fulfilling experience to provide opportunities for the community to create, especially when you can be there to see the impact it can have.”
- Kayden Hauke
“My biggest takeaway from the Art Equals internship has been learning how to facilitate creative opportunities that are based in accessibility and community. At our work both in the studio and hosting public events, I’ve discovered my personal strengths on this team, and have been given numerous opportunities to use those strengths to help grow Art Equals.”
- Joe
"During my internship with Art Equals, I grew as an artist, communicator, and community member. I gained meaningful skills like how to better facilitate group learning environments, how to develop engaging social media content, and how to successfully build relationships with local partners. As an intern, I was respected and cared for as a whole person. Charlotte took care to understand my learning goals, and cultivated an environment in which I could explore and expand my interests. This role is an amazing opportunity!"
- Meg
