A Vision from The KIND Institute

by Kevin Taylor September 19, 2016

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso

We’ve all seen it. The grimace of complete anguish. Those adorable tiny fists, balled and thrashing about in every which way. And the tears, streaming down with no chartable course for consolation.But even in a display as ugly as this, there’s just something about the raw emotion of a child, unbridled and fearless, compelled by something as simple and silly as a misplaced toy or a bad stumble, that is amazing and inherently human.

But even in a display as ugly as this, there’s just something about the raw emotion of a child, unbridled and fearless, compelled by something as simple and silly as a misplaced toy or a bad stumble, that is amazing and inherently human.Of course, in these troubling times, that kind of ridiculous behavior doesn’t fly for us adults. We bottle our feelings, keep them in check, and hope that they don’t burst out as we navigate the rough waters that many are spelling as inevitable doom for our collective ship.

Of course, in these troubling times, that kind of ridiculous behavior doesn’t fly for us adults. We bottle our feelings, keep them in check, and hope that they don’t burst out as we navigate the rough waters that many are spelling as inevitable doom for our collective ship.After all, how can we deal with threats of climate change, ravaging our global community if we’re too busy throwing a tantrum? Or the renewed crisis of confidence in the social and political fabrics of our nation for that matter? And, of course, we can’t forget economic disparity, tracking its muddy boots on every corner of our beautiful city of Philadelphia.

After all, how can we deal with threats of climate change, ravaging our global community if we’re too busy throwing a tantrum? Or the renewed crisis of confidence in the social and political fabrics of our nation for that matter? And, of course, we can’t forget economic disparity, tracking its muddy boots on every corner of our beautiful city of Philadelphia.But in all this fear of uncertainty, this rigidity to keep calm and carry on, this compulsion to avoid rocking the boat, we seem to have forgotten something.

But in all this fear of uncertainty, this rigidity to keep calm and carry on, this compulsion to avoid rocking the boat, we seem to have forgotten something.Which is

Which is that, all of these challenges we face today, are no different in nature than the challenges that have always stood in our way. Never has there been a time in human history where we as people didn’t face dilemmas on a global, national, and local scale.And you know how we managed?

And you know how we managed?It wasn’t through resignation. It wasn’t by accepting our fate and facing it with silent dignity. It was through expression.

It wasn’t through resignation. It wasn’t by accepting our fate and facing it with silent dignity. It was through expression.It was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution that Monet’s Impressionist movement gained steam, creating a series of works dedicated to melding our perceptions with the beauty of nature, inspiring and drawing us closer to the world around us. It was the music of The Beatles, that brought messages of love and peace, soothing the political turmoil of the 60’s. And it was the legendary writing of W.E.B. Dubois, which shed light on the socioeconomic struggles of, what he referred to as, The Philadelphia Negro.

It was in the midst of the Industrial Revolution that Monet’s Impressionist movement gained steam, creating a series of works dedicated to melding our perceptions with the beauty of nature, inspiring and drawing us closer to the world around us. It was the music of The Beatles, that brought messages of love and peace, soothing the political turmoil of the 60’s. And it was the legendary writing of W.E.B. Dubois, which shed light on the socioeconomic struggles of, what he referred to as, The Philadelphia Negro.These influential works are all a product of expression and a free release of emotion.

These influential works are all a product of expression and a free release of emotion. These artists weren’t scared to feel and shared those feelings with anyone who would listen. They put themselves up at the mercy of those who would judge, and demanded change actively, not passively.So, here at The KIND Institute, our goal is to ensure that we spread the wisdom of a child, encouraging all to develop themselves through creative outlets, regardless of experience. Through this, we aim to redefine on a local level what it means to be an artist and to ‘grow up’, educating children and adults alike that their works can have meaning, not only in inspiring them to be

So, here at The KIND Institute, our goal is to ensure that we spread the wisdom of a child, encouraging all to develop themselves through creative outlets, regardless of experience. Through this, we aim to redefine on a local level what it means to be an artist and to ‘grow up’, educating children and adults alike that their works can have meaning, not only in inspiring them to be themselves, but in inspiring others in the community to believe in progress.And through the stories we will share here, we will show the value of preserving the artist in every child through the stirring results of those in our community who believe in

And through the stories we will share here, we will show the value of preserving the artist in every child through the stirring results of those in our community who believe in expression, and the change it can create right here in Philadelphia.