BUGS Launches “Artists Lead! BUGS Community Market" Matching Gift Campaign

BUGS Awarded Matching Gift from ArtPlace through IOBY to Fund
“Artists Lead! BUGS Community Market" and Creative Community Change

During this season of giving, BUGS is thrilled to announce an end-of-year matching gift campaign from ArtPlace through IOBY to launch our student-run and artist-led Community Market. The Market will feature student designed sustainability-themed projects and performances as well as local produce. Open to the public in May and June, the Market will provide meaningful opportunities for students to connect more deeply with neighbors to grow an equitable, healthy, and sustainable community.

Contributions to the “Artists Lead! BUGS Community Market"  will be doubled up to $1,000 per donor. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to all participating campaigns, so BUGS encourages friends and families to donate as soon as possible at https://ioby.org/project/artists-lead-bugs-community-market.

Support of any amount will help: 

  • Fund artists to build our students' art and activist muscles!

  • Underwrite student art and design projects to motivate our community to consider the economic, environmental and social impact of the choices they make about what they eat, wear, and purchase.

  • Support our student-run “Community Market” that will be open to the public in May and June.

Students will be guided and inspired by our in-house team of teaching artists under the leadership of our Lead Artist and Director of Sustainability Jess Norris Khawaja, as well as guest artists.

“Myself and BUGS would love the opportunity to expand upon our Community Market and Farm Stand project this year and engage other community artists. Last year the Market was open all day on Fridays in June. This year, we hope to open in May and run through June. The Market will also include performances and additional opportunities for art making and exchange. We are seeking funding to make this vision a reality,” explained Jess Norris Khawaja, Project Lead Artist and Director of Sustainability.

“We are so grateful for all our families, friends, board members, and alumni who have already contributed to the challenge. Thank you for your support of BUGS and our students who will change the world,” said Susan Tenner, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School.  

Donate now at https://ioby.org/project/artists-lead-bugs-community-market.