Effective February 21, 2026, Free Arts will change its name and become Art Heals Arizona. We invite you to watch the short video below and read further:
This change reflects our ongoing commitment to healing through creativity while embracing a name that matches our mission and vision for the future. While our name is changing, our mission remains the same: transforming children’s trauma into resilience through the arts.
Learn about the exciting next chapter in our story.
Is anything else changing?
No, only our name is changing.
Our mission and services are not changing. All of our services to the children, teens, young adults, and families that we serve will remain free of charge. This name change to “Art Heals Arizona” is meant to better reflect our vision for the future. More reasons for the name change are outlined below.
Are your programs staying the same?
Yes, we will continue to offer trauma-informed, transformative art, and group mentoring programs as seen in Free Art Days, Professional Artist Series, Weekly Mentor Programs, and Camps. We will also continue to live out our core value of innovation and seek ways to expand access to our programs for participants throughout Arizona. We aim to continue to expand our services across the state, reaching beyond Phoenix and Tucson over the next several years. Recently, this has led to initiatives such as Resilient Roots, Creativity Camp, and adult learning opportunities like the annual Resilient Hearts Symposium.
Who does Art Heals Arizona serve?
Art Heals Arizona (formerly Free Arts) provides programs to children, teens, young adults, and families living in foster, kinship, or out-of-home care at a partner agency. The children and families we serve have experienced a traumatic separation from their families or their homes.
While we are headquartered in Maricopa County, our services also extend into Pima County (Tucson).
If you are a foster parent, kinship guardian or are affiliated with an agency interested in receiving our programming, please email us at programs@ArtHealsaz.org for more information.
What is special about the phrase “Art Heals Arizona”?
Art – our group mentoring model holds art as the transformational relationship maker for the people we serve, and volunteers engaged in our work.
Heals – we define heal as a return to well-being. We aspire to promote and support the well-being of all who receive and deliver our services. We believe that everyone is on a personal journey to experience their preferred sense of connection and well-being for themselves and for others.
Arizona – We are committed to serving participants through partnerships in Arizona and hope to be a resource and an inspiration for work outside of our state.
I’m a volunteer mentor or professional artist, what t-shirt should I wear to
programs?
As a volunteer mentor, support volunteer or professional artist, you’ll be given instructions to come pick up a new, blue “Art Heals Arizona” shirt when they are available. We will also bring new shirts to programs to help with the transition. Please do your best to wear a new “Art Heals Arizona” shirt to programs and outward-facing events. However, you are welcome to keep and continue to wear
“Free Arts” branded material independently, when not in programs.
We are planning a special Open House event in April to transform our “Free Arts” branded items into something beautiful. Stay tuned for more information about that.
I’m just learning about your organization. How do I get started volunteering?
Becoming a volunteer begins with a one-hour, no-obligation volunteer information session to learn about the many ways you can get involved in our programs that connect children to opportunities to overcome trauma through artistic expression. You can register for your volunteer information session today.
Is your tax ID number the same?
Yes, our tax ID number will remain the same.
Is your Qualifying Foster Care (QFCO) tax credit code the same?
Yes, our QFCO code is #10015
You can learn more about taking the credit here.
Why are you making this change away from “Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona”?
We came to this change for a number of reasons, including:
-Confusion vs. Clarity
It is unclear from the name what “Free Arts” does. When we meet with potential donors, partner agencies, or anyone else unfamiliar with our organization, it takes a while to communicate exactly what it is we do and how we do it. The name “Free Arts” itself does not help communicate any of this to external parties. Is it a place for free art supplies? Is it for profit or non-profit, or something else entirely? We have a beautiful building that acts as a billboard for the organization, but we regularly have people see the sign and come in asking for something we don’t provide.
-Stigmatization
Perhaps the most compelling reason for the name change is to remove the words “abused children” from our name. Years ago, the organization made the decision to drop the words ‘for abused children of Arizona’ out of our public name, and we are now continuing that journey. Using that term creates a stigma for program participants, is outdated, and can retraumatize the children we are trying to serve. We have had participants react negatively to these terms in print. Also, some alumni have requested not to be associated with the organization in marketing materials, specifically for this reason.
-Positive Connotations
Going forward, we wish to focus on the solution, not the problem. We talk often in our programs about how healing is best defined as a return to well-being. Therefore, by incorporating the word “Heals,” we draw a direct connection from our mission to our moniker.
-Digital Communications Limitations
The word “free” in our name causes our emails to get caught in spam filters and significantly impacts our ability to reach our constituents. Email is one of the most cost-effective marketing and fundraising channels available to us, and it’s difficult to use with the current name.
What about your logo and branding?
Branding continuity is one of our primary goals during this transition. The Free Arts brand has many elements worth preserving. Our new “Art Heals Arizona” logo retains the same visual elements as before — most importantly the tree, as well as the same font and color scheme.
What else do I need to know about transitioning to Art Heals Arizona?
For the next 18-24 months, wherever possible, all communications should include the tagline: “formerly known as Free Arts” or “formerly Free Arts.” This ensures continuity and recognition during the transition period.
