The Prop - Using Art & Humanitarian good to start meaningful conversations

(The article below describes why you and your ministry should vote for The Prop everyday in July for a $25,000 grant at www.refresheverything.com/theprop. Check it out, go vote, and please spread the word!)

Problem:  I don't know how to invite and/or engage artistic students.

It's true.  Artistic people can be hard to understand.  We love their vision and their passion, but don't always comprehend their quirks and their creativity.  But, what if we could invite them to do what they love and then give them a platform for their work?  Perhaps the posture of serving artists is a starting point that engages them in a way that we have longed for.

Now, take it one step further.  We have given them a platform (event, wall space, opportunity to sell their work, etc), but how do we connect them to the bigger purpose that they've been designed for?  We could start a charity to give the proceeds to.  Or we could use the money to fund the church.  Or we could just give the money to the artists.  All of these are great options.  But what if we could somehow also invite them to be a part of a group of people/organization who is dedicated to making the world a better place?  They gain an opportunity to learn about the passions of the organization and gain a way to propagate their impact through what they love doing. 

What I've just described is the goal of our new project group called The Prop. It's simply a group of friends who see that there is a lot of good taking place in our world, and we want to connect others to those people/organizations.  Our first project-connecting artists to humanitarian organizations- is what I've described above.  It's a simple concept to use events as a way to invite artists to invest in doing good.  Here's how anyone can throw a Prop Event:

Create - Have students explore their artistic medium.
Collaborate - Work together with others in the community and with on of the organizations that The Prop is sponsoring.
Celebrate - Throw a party that celebrates the work of the artist and the highlighted organization.
Contribute - Contribute the awareness and the resources raised to the organization.

All of this brings a deeper level of engagement with artistic students in your community while creating an environment to discuss the redemption we've been created to be a part of and personally experience.  The planning stages, the event, and the follow up is where the potential for spiritual conversation takes place.

You can watch our video at: www.refresheverything.com/theprop

I know, I know, You have a few questions:

- Is The Prop a Christian Organization? 
No.  We are all believers, but it is not labeled as a Christian organization.

- Can anyone throw a Prop Event?
Yes.  That's the point. It's so simple, anyone can do it.  The more simple the event, the better.

- Where do I find what Organization you support and How can I suggest an organization -
Email victor@the-prop.org  We're working on this right now.

- Is it just me, or does this sound like a lot of work?  
It's just you.  We know that that idea of an artistic event may sound daunting at first, but once again, it's a simple concept.  Also, you'll notice that these types of events already take place at High Schools, colleges, community centers, etc.  Drop in and suggest partnering with them for this idea.  The Prop gives you that kind of open-door.

- I have more questions, who do I talk to?
Email victor@the-prop.org

- How do I vote for you?  
Go to www.refresheverything.com/theprop.  You'll need to vote everyday for the rest of the month and tell everyone else to do the same.  We're in 95th place and have a long way to go.

Thanks for your support!