Non-Profit Spotlight: i.imagine
We are excited to feature i.imagine as a Non-Profit Spotlight. Shannon Eggleston, Founder and Executive Director, explains the organization’s mission and how it serves the community.
Mission
Sparking the imagination to see the world through a new lens. Using photography to empower kids to find their souls and tell their stories.
When did the organization start and by whom?
Sparking the imagination to see the world through a new lens. Using photography to empower kids to find their souls and tell their stories.
What makes your organization stand out among others?
We stand out mostly for two reasons. First, our programs incorporate technology into the arts as an after school program. It’s beautiful to see tech oriented kids lean on aritistic kids to help them to see beauty. Arts oriented kids lean on tech kids to help them to understand how things work. We speak openly about this concept, and how our natural gift is a big deal, and an even bigger deal when we share it with others. Second, half of every class session is dedicated to adolescent mental health, identifying with socially relevant issues facing teens/emotions, and recognizing that you are never alone, and that you are loved. Students put all of this into their photographs, and which tell compelling stories.
What are the greatest needs of the organization?
As a non-profit, we rely primarily on private funding to survive. By donating or hosting a fundraiser, engaging with us on social media, or attending our public exhibitions, we can continue to inspire and empower kids!
Become a volunteer to help make our students’ exhibitions and grand opening receptions special! We need heavy lifters, party planners, and i.imagine fans that will simply come out and support our students!
How many students do you serve?
We serve approximately 100 kids per year, primarily in NKY middle and high schools. We currently serve Holmes Middle and High School, Gray Middle School, NKY MakerSpace/Ignite Institute. Also, we host a summer camp, and are partnered with the Cincinnati Opera on a special project for the upcoming production of “Fierce,” which premiers on June 24th.
Who do you assist? Why?
We assist kids, families, schools and communities.
Kids – we work hard to make our programs available to students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, of diverse backgrounds. Why? We do this because we believe that every human being has the ability to learn, be inspired and empowered to do great things.
Families – Families want to learn how their kids’ cool camera works. We host regular photography “meet ups” on Saturdays, and it’s so fun to watch kids explain exposure, shutter speed, aperture, etc to their parents. This is empowerment at its best! Also, at our grand opening receptions, we join to reflect on our students’ images and remember that each photo is a moment in time that mattered to their child. It brings every person in the room together, as a reminder to take notice of the small moments. Why? Because family connectivity is critical to healthy learning/growing, and is becoming harder and harder to harness as technological entertainment evolves.
Schools – we bring a funded program into schools that is on a platter, ready to go. The school truly just needs to provide us access to their building, its resources, and of course the students! We include the schools in every press release, public art exhibitions, in addition to networking efforts throughout the community. Why? We do this because teachers and schools deserve to be celebrated too! They do the hard work of educating our kids, and we take this very seriously. We want to bring them to the table in a positive way. Also, by connecting our lessons with school curriculum, we are able to provide a high quality program that compliments and supports each school’s classroom initiatives.
Community – i.imagine’s programs result in public art exhibitions that bring vibrancy to NKY. Recently, we’ve installed a 12 foot mural of photographs from Holmes Middle School students at 9th and Madison in Covington. Additionally, we are super proud to feature our Ignite Institute kids in a special exhibit that will span the Purple People Bridge during the month of October for the FotoFocus Biennial 2020. We’ve exhibited our Gray Middle School students at the Metropolitan Club, Scripps Center Atrium, the revolving restaurant in Covington, and more! Also, i.imagine hosts a service learning project once per year, in which we donate our photographs and/or photography talent to support a local organization. Why? Because community connectivity empowers our students, and helps to bring new business to our community partners. ALL of this helps to strengthen economically and grow.
How can people get involved with the organization?
Consider donating or hosting a fundraiser. Eighty cents of every dollar goes back to our students and programs. This covers employing our highly trained instructors, equipment and maintenance, field trips, exhibition and grand opening receptions.
We are ALWAYS looking for creative, meaningful spaces to exhibit and celebrate our students’ photographs publically. If you have access to a place that would benefit from an amazing and inspiring exhibition of images, we’d love to hear your ideas!
Our students thrive greatly when the general public shows up for our exhibition grand opening receptions! This is their “Friday night football game!” Join us for an hour, enjoy the exhibition, and ask kids about their photographs. This helps them in ways that no classroom could ever provide. Check our website calendar of events for more information on upcoming exhibitions and receptions at www.iimaginephotography.org.
Follow i.imagine on Facebook and Instagram, share our posts, comment, let us know when our students’ photos knocked your socks off!
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