Martine has worked in the foundation world for nearly 30 years and founded ArtCorps as a pilot project to respond to the challenges faced by many nonprofits. As she watches ArtCorps spread its wings, she is ever-more convinced that arts and culture provide the means to effect meaningful and sustainable social change.

They say: "Aren’t there more urgent things to do in this world than 'art stuff'? What about clean water, HIV prevention, gang violence and other problems?"

My response: "There sure are! With our grassroots partners we are addressing all of the above issues and more."

The secret to ArtCorps’ success is its holistic approach to bringing about permanent change. Our established partner organizations hold the local solutions to these issues and ArtCorps gently and in a culturally-sensitive way opens minds to this change. Based on my 25 years  in nonprofit work, I can assure you that change does not happen without community engagement. There is no shortcut.

Our partner organizations seem to agree because they come back to partner with ArtCorps for three to five years and build an Art for Social Action approach into their core programs over that time.

I have a great admiration for our artists who give a year or more of their lives to impart their creativity and passion for social change. Their own lives as well as their art will be changed forever.

As my African friend Yared says, "In order to plant a tree in the soil, you first have to plant it in your heart." Art speaks to hearts and minds in all languages.