About Us

Core to our identity is the belief that all talent is universal, but opportunity is not. We are the bridge between potential and creativity.

Make an Artist Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization at the forefront of global creative equity. Our mission is to dismantle the barriers to artistic expression by providing children worldwide with the tools and resources they need to thrive.

Public Education: Infrastructure for Equity

Make an Artist Foundation® optimizes art programs by providing students with a range of creative tools. We bridge the funding gap in public education, removing the financial burden from educators and ensuring that a student's creative development is never limited by their school’s budget. By equipping classrooms, we empower teachers to deliver rigorous, immersive learning experiences that prepare students for a creative future.

Transitional Housing: Sustaining Identity

In environments of acute instability, the creative process provides a critical sense of agency. We provide the resources for youth in shelters to reclaim their narrative and develop the cognitive problem-solving skills necessary for long-term resilience. By facilitating a consistent outlet for self-expression, we help children maintain a sense of identity and autonomy during periods of transition.

Global Displacement: Creative Continuity

We address the systemic barriers to creative expression within displaced populations. In refugee communities and marginalized areas, our programs use art to mitigate the effects of trauma and social isolation. By ensuring access to the tools of creativity, we support the academic engagement and social development of youth, providing a universal language that fosters connection and cultural continuity in new environments.

Clinical Settings: Integrative Healing

Creative engagement is a substantive component of pediatric recovery. Through our Healing HeARTs Program, we provide hospitalized children with the tools to build emotional resilience during medical trauma. By integrating tactile art experiences into the clinical environment, we help children navigate stress and foster the psychological strength required for their healing journey.

Make an Artist Foundation has been awarded the Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest distinction from Candid (formerly GuideStar). This designation places us in the top 0.1% of nonprofits nationwide.

For our partners and philanthropists, this seal represents a commitment to radical accountability. We provide comprehensive insights into our strategic goals, financial management, and global impact, ensuring that every contribution is managed with the highest degree of institutional integrity. When you invest in Make an Artist, you are partnering with one of the most transparent and efficient organizations in the sector.

About the Founder

Kittiya Pawlowski is an artist, photographer, and the visionary behind Make an Artist Foundation. Her work is defined by a commitment to using visual storytelling as a catalyst for systemic change. Throughout her career, Kittiya has leveraged photography and digital composition to bridge the gap between aesthetics and advocacy, highlighting critical environmental and social narratives on a global scale.

Driven by the belief that creativity is an essential human right, Kittiya founded the organization to ensure that the next generation of artists is not limited by their geographic or economic circumstances. As a self-taught artist, she understands the transformative power of access. Under her leadership, the Foundation has achieved the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, reflecting her commitment to merging artistic passion with rigorous institutional integrity.