When we have the privilege and ability to enrich a person’s life,
We not only make an impact, we can make change for generations to come;
We find a way to do it because it is our responsibility.
This is the SCRaP Why.
Our goal at SCRaP is to be the place- that place where artistic abilities can be explored and encouraged, to keep art accessible and affordable for all, the space for a creative community to develop, shared resources to help others become sustainable in their passion, and to help everyone who visits succeeds.
We are a Creative Art Center and Makerspace. We take in donations of anything creative people can use to make arts and craft affordable; we provide a shared space, tools and knowledge for creative people and entrepreneurs. We outreach to younglings to help their creative minds.
After intensive research in the Billings and Montana educational community, we discovered School District 2 does not get formal art education until the 4th grade, or a music program until 5th grade. Only some schools have qualified art instructors, and there is no budget to provide for any art supplies in the earlier grades. Teachers usually seek donations or pay for the art supplies out of their pocket to support the kids.
To make the greatest impact on our community Without duplicating services, we created our SCRaPpin SMART program to address the needs the school system used to provide but can’t due to budget cuts. This is an open program which takes STEM to STEAM by adding back the arts to the school curriculum.
We recently started a Makerspace cart/program to get a cart with supplies at the schools. These carts will have the tools and art supplies the students need in exploring STEM and STEAM initiatives but aren’t budgeted by the school programs. Currently, teachers are seeking these kinds of donations through programs such as Donors Choice.
We recently awarded 5 schools Makerscarts thru a grant provided by Rocky Mountain College/Enactus program. To initiate this program, we created an essay contest for the schools, requesting students to write an essay about the 5 Rs’ (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle).
Our Outreach and Partnerships
We launched the SCRaPpin Kidz art programs for Broadwater and Sandstone, and the SCRaPpin Learn program for Lockwood.
Provided outreach summer art programs for Boys and Girls Club, YMCA and Billings Parks and Recreation.
Art programs for Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, COR Enterprise, Youth Dynamics.
Partnered with ZONTA to bring art to the ladies of Passages.
Partnered with HRDC and HRDC/WEX to provide job skills/positions for families in need and youths at risk
Partnered with Better Billings Foundation to promote their Booknook free library program while offering volunteer opportunities for 4-H Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Partnered with Riverstone Health on Healthy by Design South Side Community Awareness.
Partnered with Family Tree, Child Bridge and Wise Wonders Children’s Museum.
SCRaPtacular exhibit at Montana Fair for two years, sharing facilities with other nonprofit groups. Our third year we are bringing the Makerspace to the fair.
We support the Montana Arts Council MAP program, providing a place and resources for local artists to learn about the business side of the arts.
We have the largest 3D Printer Makerspace in Billings, offering classes and mentorship.
We have supported entrepreneur meetups and will expanding to offer an Incubator and Shared Office space.
Recent expansion of the Magic City Makerspace Creative Annex, the Largest Makerspace and Creative Art Center in Billings! A membership-based Makerspace open to all, where anyone in the community can come in to create and make things using shared space, tools and knowledge.
We developed a philanthropic partnership with local businesses and nonprofits to raise awareness and funds for other youth-oriented organizations. To date, we have helped raise over $12,500 for other local services and individuals. So far, the beneficiaries are Nathan Sullivan- Eagle Scout, Alyssa West-exchange student, Instruments for Kids, Blankets and Bears, Youth Dynamics, Family Tree Center and Angel Horses. The schools are Washington Elementary, Medicine Crow, Laurel Middle School, Billings Christian School and Senior High.
All of the above efforts have been done as outreach while we continue work on code compliance remodeling to get city occupancy and officially open our doors of our first building. This was a much larger project and expense than we anticipated, which has delayed our ability to offer classes.
We are primarily funded by retail sales and classes, and not by grants & fundraising. In order to continue to finance the code compliance effort, we decided to expand into a second building, called The Creative Annex, for our classes and gallery.
We believe the time is right now for us to spread our awareness of the impact that SCRaP is having in our community and the only way to do this is through our connections in the community. We hope you will consider joining and supporting us to help grow.
