Bad Dog Arts is a nonprofit arts organization in Utah that provides multidisciplinary arts education for children, teens, and adults. During Utah Gives, Bad Dog Arts raises funds to support art scholarships so more people can access creative learning opportunities.
My connection to Bad Dog Arts began years before I joined the Board of Directors, and it continues today as both a parent and professional artist.
What Is Bad Dog Arts and Who Does It Serve?
Bad Dog Arts is a Utah‑based nonprofit that offers arts education programs for all ages, that infuse visual art with other topics like theater, writing, science, cooking, and more!
More than 75% of the students served by Bad Dog Arts come from low‑income or underserved communities. The organization focuses on providing inclusive, accessible programs where creativity, collaboration, and self‑expression are central.
How I First Became Involved With Bad Dog Arts
I discovered Bad Dog Arts while completing my student teaching hours in college. I was studying both Art and English and was especially interested in education that blended creative and academic disciplines.
One of my professors, playwright and educator Jeff Metcalf, introduced me to Bad Dog Arts because of its commitment to multidisciplinary teaching and creative learning.
Who Was Jeff Metcalf and Why His Work Matters
Jeff Metcalf was a playwright, teacher, and mentor who played a key role in shaping my creative and professional path. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he wrote a play about his experience titled “A Slight Discomfort.”
Jeff sadly passed away in 2020, but his legacy lives on. His work demonstrated how art and storytelling can help people process illness, grief, and change. His influence inspired my own writing journey and eventually supported my path to becoming a published author.
Jeff influenced my career in Marketing at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where I see the value of creative expression in helping people navigate cancer.
What I Learned as a Teaching Artist at Bad Dog Arts
After my student teaching hours ended, I stayed on as a Teaching Artist with Bad Dog Arts. I worked on projects that included public murals and artist workshops.
These programs showed students that creativity can be a way of understanding the world, not just an extracurricular activity. This approach is core to Bad Dog Arts’ educational philosophy.
How I Became a Board Member of Bad Dog Arts
Bad Dog Arts co‑founder Victoria Lyons noticed my writing background and asked me to help write grants to support the organization’s programs. Through grant writing, I gained insight into the funding required to sustain nonprofits.
That work eventually led me to serve on the Board of Directors, where I help support long‑term strategy, accessibility, and program growth.
Why Bad Dog Arts Matters to Me as a Parent
Bad Dog Arts is now part of my family’s life. My own children attend Bad Dog Arts classes, and I see firsthand how these programs inspire confidence, curiosity, and creative growth.
This full‑circle moment reinforces why arts education matters, not just professionally but personally.
What Is Utah Gives and How Does It Help Bad Dog Arts?
Utah Gives is a statewide online day of giving that supports nonprofit organizations across Utah. Bad Dog Arts participates in Utah Gives to raise funds for summer art camp scholarships for children.
These funds help ensure that cost does not prevent children from participating in creative programs. The current goal is to offer at least two scholarships per summer camp.
How to Support Bad Dog Arts During Utah Gives
Utah Gives offers donation levels ranging from $15 to $350, making it possible for many people to participate.
Support Bad Dog Arts for Utah Gives here: https://www.utahgives.org/organization/Baddogarts
Sharing this fundraiser with your family, friends, or community is another meaningful way to help. Bad Dog Arts helped shape who I am today as a writer, educator, and parent. I am grateful for the chance to help ensure its impact continues.
I hope you’ll consider donating and sharing this blog post!
xoxo,
Michaela Rae
