Local children's arts museum is taking to the road
—Photo by LYNNE HALEY Creations for Sandpoint flies its colors at the end of the Cedar Street Bridge.
SANDPOINT — Children at area parks this summer have a new treat in store. Creations for Sandpoint, a nonprofit organization providing play space, art supplies and products to purchase for kids in the Cedar Street Bridge, is taking its services on the road.
Shery Meekings, CEO of the organizations, recently obtained City Council approval to park her mobile museum and nutrition vehicle at several parks this summer for the purpose of community outreach. She said she planned to use a grant from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation to fund the program.
Arts Alliance Inc., dba Creations for Sandpoint, received an $18,000 grant from INCF's Equinox Foundation for community art expansion, according to the INCF website.
“It is unique organization because they do have a designation as a museum," said Jennifer Stapleton, city administrator, who had been working with Meekings on her presentation. "So long as what they are serving is related to their programming, it is non-taxable.”
"We’re a museum, we want to take it mobile and reach more lower income children under 12," Meekings told the council. "“Right now, we’re at the Farmers Market every Saturday. We did chia pet crafts and chia peanut butter balls. We have funding for 3,000 students under 12. We like to throw art in there, because that’s who we are."
The council members voted unanimously to approve a special parking permit for Meeking's mobile program.