A $7,000 grant from the Riedel Foundation will serve as the primary funding source for the Hannibal Arts Council’s youth programs, which bring the arts to more than 500 Hannibal students ages 3–17.
“We design these programs to expand creativity, build self-confidence, and connect youth with professional artists through hands-on experiences in a variety of art forms,” said Program Coordinator Jordan O’Donnell. “Children can collaborate across generations and express themselves in safe, supportive, and inspiring settings.”
HAC’s youth initiatives include:
- IMPACT Youth Summer Art Camps for ages 9–11 and 12–14, recently expanded due to high demand
- Monthly Art Adventure Workshops, offering ongoing opportunities for creative exploration
- Wild & Wacky Art Adventure Festival, a free, family-friendly celebration of the arts
- Young Masters Exhibit, showcasing selected works from 5th, 8th, and high school students across Hannibal’s public and parochial schools
- Special outreach programs, including collaborative art projects with Missouri’s 10th Judicial Circuit Court, the Missouri Division of Social Services (Children’s Division/Foster Care), and a workshop for youth with developmental disabilities in partnership with Mark Twain Behavioral Health
With the exception of one workshop, all youth programming is offered free of charge, primarily due to the Riedel Foundation support.
“It’s important to us that cost is not a barrier for children to experience and enjoy the arts,” said Riedel Foundation Trustee Michael Bukstein. “The Arts Council offers great youth programs that continue to grow in popularity.”
The Riedel Foundation has awarded approximately $6.5 million in grants to Hannibal non-profit agencies since it was established in 2000.