Artists For Humanity

CONTACT:

100 West Second Street
South Boston, MA 02127
617.268.7620
www.afhboston.com

Susan Rodgerson, executive and artistic director

DESCRIPTION:

When the Catalogue first listed AFH in 1998, they had just been honored by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities for helping city kids build better lives through making and selling art. That year they paired 300 young art students with artist mentors, and earned $175,000 in sales of their work. We said they were poised for significant growth, and urged our readers to make “growth investments.” Well, we got that right. Now, six years later, they have moved into a new $6.5 million permanent facility in Fort Point, next-door to the Boston Convention Center. The AFH EpiCenter, as it is appropriately named, is a “green” structure they helped design — 23,500 sq. ft. to work in, a 5,000 sq. ft. gallery for exhibitions and events for up to 500 people, with catering, and additional space for youth performing arts organizations, a retail store, and flexible space for administrative and instructional use. This year they earned $400,000 in sales and had 500 kids involved. In the new facility they will really flap their wings and soar — to art sales of $1.5 million annually, says the business plan — at which point AFH will be self-sustainable! Here you can work with a sure winner.

(2004: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: General)