Born from one young artist’s desire to create a welcoming space for disabled creatives, We Are Artistic has blossomed into a vibrant community and nonprofit organization supporting artists worldwide through events, internships, and outreach.
- Founded by an artist with multiple disabilities to support creatives.
- Grew from Instagram posts to a global nonprofit with 200 volunteers.
- Offers internships and hosts events creating community impact.
What happened
In the 6th grade, an artist living with multiple disabilities created an Instagram account named Artistic.Edie to showcase personal artwork and noticed a lack of support for artists with disabilities on social media. Inspired by early school experiences and wanting to build a safer space for disabled artists, they launched a Facebook group called We Have Talents, later renamed We Are Artistic. Over time, the initiative evolved beyond social media to become a nonprofit with hundreds of volunteers worldwide.
The organization now hosts community events like card-making for children in hospitals and offers internships that teach skills in filmmaking and creative communications. Despite challenges such as losing access to their Instagram account, the group’s resilience helped them recover and grow their reach, gaining media attention and school involvement.
Why it feels good
We Are Artistic fosters a vital sense of belonging and empowerment for artists, especially those with disabilities who often face isolation or limited access to creative communities. Seeing the founder’s journey from loneliness to leadership highlights the power of inclusive spaces to transform lives and build connections across diverse backgrounds.
The nonprofit’s focus on accessibility in the arts celebrates every person’s unique voice and talent, making creativity an accessible outlet and a source of confidence. Volunteers and interns gain meaningful experience while contributing to a welcoming environment where all artists are valued and supported.
What to enjoy or watch next
Explore the We Are Artistic Instagram and website to discover resources, artist spotlights, and upcoming opportunities. Joining their events or internships can provide hands-on experience supporting inclusive arts initiatives and community-building activities.
Keep an eye out for documentaries or news features about the organization, which showcase its impact and the inspiring stories of young leaders shaping the future of accessible art. Supporting or participating in nonprofit-led creative projects helps spread their mission and highlights the importance of inclusive artistic spaces.