Frequently Asked Questions
1) Where does the money from the sales go?
All the money that comes from sales goes back to the organization. The large majority of our funds are used to pay 4 - 10 artists an hourly rate of $10.00. Our administrative costs include studio rent and entry fees to art fairs.
2) Do the artists get the commission from sales?
The artists are paid an hourly rate of $10.00 to come to our studio to create and design puppets and pins. We do not pay commission from sales because it is to the advantage of the artist to receive a stable income. At this time, we do not make any profit from sales. Grants and donations supplement the loss.
3) Is this a sheltered workshop?
This is not a sheltered workshop. It is an art studio where women who are homeless may come to tap their creative talents and get paid for their work. We do offer individual support and flexible work time to assist them with personal, legal and other issues. There is no requirement to use any of the program's advocacy assistance.
4) Were they artists before ILAP?
None of our artists have ever done any significant artwork other than crafts in grade school.
5) Whose idea was this/who started ILAP?
The original idea of I Love a Parade came from our director Sandra Haff who has worked with those who are homeless for almost three decades. She combined her own love for art and her commitment to her work to give birth to I Love a Parade. She believed that there were many people who were unable, for a myriad of reasons, to find success within our current work system. She also observed that there was a lot of untapped creative talent within this group. She knew, through her own affinity for art, that it has the power to heal. Merging the need for success in work, the shortage of self-esteem and the energy of creation, I love a Parade was launched.
6) How did ILAP come about/how long has ILAP been around?
I Love a Parade formed its first Board of Directors in 1996 and was incorporated the next year. Because of the unique and individual approach to homelessness, it was difficult to obtain funding. We were not a proven entity and hard to define. We were a service organization, an arts project and a business. Most major foundations and corporations wanted success to be confirmed. FInally, in 1998 we received a small start-up grant from the Carolyn Foundation and we hired our first artists in July 1999. Since then, we have trained 61 artists and we currently have between 4-6 artists in our studio at any one time. Our Board of Directors is a "working board" and meets once a month. It includes a diverse group of people with many talents including several people who are or have been homeless.
7) Where does ILAP get the material?
Material is donated by local theatres and parades. We also use "found objects" such as decorative wood.
8) Do the artists make all the puppets?
Our artists are the sole creators of all of our puppets, masks and pins.
9) Where did the name come from (ILAP)?
The name of I Love a Parade came out of many hours of discussion at our first few Board of Directors meetings. We wanted something that was uplifting to reflect the positive nature of our project. We wanted it to show movement and activity. And we wanted it to be memorable. I Love a Parade was the first suggestion of many. It came up rather tongue in cheek in reference to our first costume fabric donation from the Holidazzle Parade. We came to realize it was perfect. In addition to fitting our criteria, it posed another level of consideration. A parade does not usually have a permanent home and its life takes place in the streets and those who are homeless rarely have a parade they can call their own!
10) Are the artists always homeless?
The only prerequisite we have for hiring our artists is that they have been homeless five or more times or for more than five years. This is our definition of chronically homeless. We typically find housing as soon as possible so each woman is able to concentrate on her self-discovery journey.
11) Why is it that they can't get other jobs?
There are many reasons that our artists have not been able to maintain other work. Some of them include legal issues, abusive relationships, chemical dependency, low self-esteem and inability to grasp the concept of 9-5.
12) Do they come and just work or are there other "services" available?
I Love a Parade is not only a work place. We offer a community, flexible hours and personal support. Some of our artists are in chemical dependency programs, which require group participation. Some are on probation requiring court and probation hearings. Others have family issues that obligate them to family services and child protection. We make this possible by letting them make up time. We also offer personal support and advocacy. We assist in finding housing and other services. Our program director is available to our artists most of the time outside of studio hours for consultation or a cup of coffee.
13) How long can the artists stay employed at ILAP?
I Love a Parade contracts individually with each artist. The terms of the contract depend on the issues the artist is facing. The needs of the artist drive the length and other terms of employment. Some artists come back multiple times. Each employment terms, specific issues are addressed.