Mission Statement
“Aurelius for the Arts” is an artist-run organization established to share the joy of creativity with children who need it most. Aurelius pursues its mission by developing and teaching intensive art workshops in overseas orphanages, as well as establishing sustainable art programs in partner institutions.

Aurelius believes that art is integral to the human experience, allowing children to channel their energy towards expressing themselves in a productive and creative manner. While often overlooked in favor of other fundamental needs, artistic expression can play an invaluable role in the development of young people.

Our History
The first project began just outside of Panama City at Malambo, Latin America's largest orphanage and home to about 120 children. During the project's initial phase in March 2007, “Aurelius for the Arts” volunteers taught a series of 90-minute art workshops for over four weeks. The positive responses were dramatic, and Aurelius is currently sponsoring an art teacher to hold classes at Malambo 3 times a week.

After the successful completion of the first project in Panama, while filming it in its entirety, the organization was recruited to work in The Dominican Republic. In the spring of 2008, The Dominica School as well as Dona Chucha Orphanage were chosen to run Aurelius Art programs and volunteers were recruited in both the states and DR to help teach and raise money locally for the children of these two orphanages.

Dona Chucha Orphanage serves 88 girls between the ages of six and fifteen within Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is an institution where a family must qualify to have their children placed there, yet family members may see their children on weekends if they desire. This school was created to serve only young girls coming from the most impoverished and abusive of situations. The Aurelius itinerary expanded to include craft lessons where the girls learned to make wearable objects such as carnival masks, hair ornaments, shadow boxes and designed original patternmaking on T-shirts.