Art Information

Art For Life's Sake (AFLS) has provided arts access and musical exposure for mainly at-risk children and youth for two decades. AFLS was founded in 1990 by Dr. Hattie Isen while she worked as an elementary counseling supervisor for Memphis City Schools. Her experience and research convinced her that training in and exposure to the arts would empower students who may be at risk of making choices that are counter-productive to a healthy future. Although AFLS programs are available to young people regardless of gender, race, family income, ethnic background, religious traditions or disabilities, the organization's main mission is to create opportunities for under-served and under-represented children to have access to the arts. Programs are aimed at children ages 4 to 14, with pre-K children reached by special projects. Programs usually occur in inner-city neighborhoods. Four ongoing AFLS programs offer arts and musical training (with attendant performances, recitals) and have reached a total of more than 700 students.