Guest Blogger - 2/22 - The Austinot

The Arc of the Arts Program Fosters Employment in Austin

July 3, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

The Arc of the Arts Program empowers individuals to find employment by fostering vital skills
(Credit: The Arc of the Capital Area)

Guest article by Janet Lee

According to research, there is a continuing disparity between employment outcomes for individuals with and without disabilities. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) are often routed away from community employment during the transition from school to adulthood.

The Arc of the Arts Program stands to address this issue. Part of The Arc of the Capital Area, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for Central Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this Austin arts education program helps clients achieve independence and employment through post-secondary education.

One of the oldest volunteer-driven associations in the country, The Arc not only provides the opportunity for IDD individuals to become active participants in the arts community, but also gain [Read more…]

Film Series at Bullock Museum Challenges Assumptions, Sparks Conversations

May 29, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Texas Focus panel with Film Programs Manager Rachel Manning on right (Credit: Bullock Museum)

Guest article by Janet Lee

Film is a window into other lives, whether they’re set in reality or an alternate universe. Movies provide various perspectives that are ultimately a reflection of our society. The Film Series Program at Bullock Museum delves into these perspectives, leading open and thematic discussions within the Austin community.

The museum’s mission is to create diverse conversations and narratives using the medium of film. And more importantly, to continue those conversations beyond the theater. Rather than simply hosting screenings, Bullock wants to collectively tackle myths, preconceived notions, and themes that are relevant and engaging. [Read more…]

Motion Media Arts Center Provides Affordable Space for Austin Visual Artists

May 10, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Motion Media Arts Center networking event in Austin (Credit: Motion Media Arts Center)

Guest article by Janet Lee

For Austin creatives, it’s often quite the journey to find space to fulfill projects, not to mention affordable space. Whether it’s having meetings, hosting an event, or simply finding a place to get work done, the hunt can be a job in itself.

But look no further. Motion Media Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit independent film, art, and technology center located in east Austin. From studio and event space, to equipment and classes, the center provides a variety of advanced resources and tools for visual artists. The organization’s focus is sustaining the Austin arts community by providing financially viable options for artists. [Read more…]

How ZilkerBark’s Viral Dog Photography Grew From Nothing

May 3, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by Steven Souza

Alex Hopes is living the Austin-American dream. If you’re one of the 138,000 people who follow his Instagram account, ZilkerBark, then you know him as the guy who takes photos of dogs in Austin.

As popular as he’s become in the past few years, the life he has today has only been possible through a lot of hard work. I got to spend an afternoon with Hopes, two of his dogs, and his camera in–where else–Zilker Park.

Here’s a glimpse into how Austin’s most famous dog photographer got to where he is today. [Read more…]

Spendindie Creates Online Marketplace for Local Businesses

April 19, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Spendindie Online Marketplace for Independent Businesses

Shop on Spendindie and support small businesses (Credit: Spendindie)

Guest article by Janet Lee

Online shopping has become normal in this ever-growing digital age. It’s usually corporate businesses that drive products through digital marketplaces, attracting consumers through convenience. But where is our money going when we make purchases from large companies? This was the problematic question Thad Beversdorf dissected and acted upon. He’s the CEO of Spendindie, an online marketplace founded and based in Austin that exclusively supports independent businesses.

Launched during the 2018 SXSW Festival, where Spendindie was the presenting sponsor of SXSW Marketplace, the Austin business not only provides a convenient way to shop local, but opportunities to get paid to promote and discover local products.

With a mission to “create a convenient and engaging way for people to make more conscious spending choices,” Spendindie wants to change the way people spend, ultimately fueling a stronger community and economy. [Read more…]

Dam That Cancer With 21-mile Paddle Across Lake Austin

April 6, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by Mathis Kennington

Stand up paddleboarding is a celebrated Austin pastime. You can’t drive around Lady Bird Lake on a sunny afternoon without watching a dozen or so Austinites slowly making their way across the water. Mark Garza, Executive Director and Founder of The Flatwater Foundation, knows this better than most.

Every year, Garza organizes a massive paddleboarding fundraiser called Tyler’s Dam That Cancer, which brings folks from all over the country together to paddle Lake Austin. Garza’s local nonprofit, The Flatwater Foundation, hosts this annual fundraiser to provide mental health coverage for people who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis. [Read more…]

Top 3 Austin Nurseries to Nurture Your Spring Garden

March 20, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by C. Cimmone

Here in Central Texas, we never really put away what little winter-wear we own. But we do burst out the door at spring’s first light and sigh, “Ahhhh…” Flowers are blooming in the Texas sun; mulch needs refreshing after winter freezes; and pesky weeds need pulling between sips of iced tea.

In between all of that hard work, I urge you to make a day trip out of visiting Austin’s best, local nurseries, which not only provide beautiful additions to your landscape, but may actually do the landscaping for you!

Here are my top three Austin nurseries, all locally-grown, just for you. [Read more…]

It’d Be a Whole Lot Cooler if You Knew These 6 Dazed and Confused Spots

March 19, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Guest article by Jayla Andrulonis

Since its 1993 debut, “Dazed and Confused” has been a cornerstone of the coming-of-age film genre, full of 1970s nostalgia, incredible music, and Matthew McConaughey in salmon-colored bell-bottoms.

The film follows the intertwining lives of a group of teenagers here in Austin, Texas, as they experience their last day of school in 1976 and kick off summer break. Austin was the perfect location for the film’s laid-back mood, effortlessly transporting viewers back in time.

Luckily for you, there are still many recognizable “Dazed and Confused” filming locations around Austin. To take full advantage of this tour guide, be sure to listen to this playlist of songs from the film’s incredible score, roll those windows down, and wear something with polyester if authenticity is your thing. [Read more…]

Austinites Heal With Kermit the Therapy Dog

March 14, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Kermit the Therapy Dog

Guest article by Jesselyn Parks

“We were sitting underneath a tree and looking out over the field”, Melissa Unfred said, with a palpable, reflective calm in her voice. She’s telling this story over a speakerphone, with the roar of the highway audible on the line.

Unfred is 1,100 miles into a 1,300-mile journey. She’s returning to Austin from Parkland, Fla., the site of one of America’s most deadly school shootings. The faint panting of her certified Therapy Dog, Kermit, is not far off in the distance, coloring the phone call with a repetitive beat.

Kermit loves car rides. “Kids and parents would come and sit down next to us, and just quietly stroke his fur.” During the trip, Kermit’s working vest displayed in large, bold font: Therapy Dog. Please Pet Me. [Read more…]

Center for Social Innovation Propels Nonprofits With Intentional Ecosystem

January 30, 2018 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Team behind The Center for Social Innovation (L-R): Dan Graham, Matt McDonnell, Daryl Kunik, Michael Hsu

Guest article by Sarah Snyder

Going to a construction site is always intriguing, especially when hard hats are required. My behind-the-scenes look at The Center for Social Innovation, Springdale General’s current project, was especially fun considering the center’s purpose to serve the social impact community in Austin.

Wait until you read about all the nonprofits and social good companies planning to come together at this east Austin hub.

[Read more…]

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