Our mission

Painting the Future, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides artmaking opportunities for displaced children through workshops led by local artists and teachers.

Our story

Painting the Future was founded in 2022 after firsthand humanitarian work with displaced families in Ukraine, where we witnessed the profound impact of war and forced displacement on children. Working alongside Ukrainian artists, teachers, and community partners, we helped organize art workshops at shelters, hospitals, orphanages, and community centers. What began as a small effort to provide artmaking opportunities quickly revealed how creative expression could offer children moments of joy, confidence, and connection during incredibly difficult circumstances.

As we spent more time with displaced children, one thing became clear: art was far more than a recreational activity. Through painting, drawing, and other creative experiences, children found meaningful ways to express themselves, explore their imaginations, and experience moments of hope. Their resilience and creativity became the inspiration for Painting the Future.

Founded as a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Painting the Future sponsors art workshops and creative opportunities for displaced children through partnerships with local artists, teachers, and community organizations. By investing in trusted local partners, we help ensure children continue to have access to meaningful artmaking experiences where they live and learn in both Ukraine and the United States.

In addition to sponsoring workshops, we provide art supplies and creative materials that allow our partner organizations to continue supporting children beyond individual events.

One of the most meaningful parts of our journey has been watching children become part of the mission themselves. Many have chosen to donate their own artwork to help fund future workshops, allowing their creativity to create new opportunities for other displaced children to experience the joy of making art.

While Painting the Future has grown, our mission remains the same: to ensure every displaced child has the opportunity to create, imagine, and experience the joy of making art.

Our impact

By the numbers

Last updated: June 2026

Our journey

2022

Painting the Future grows out of firsthand humanitarian work in Ukraine.
First art workshop held at a shelter in Lviv, Ukraine.
Art supplies donated to support Kids of Ukraine’s programming.
Incorporated as a U.S. nonprofit.

2023

Programs expand to the United States.
New partnerships established.
Art exhibited at G-Gallery in New York City and the University of Tulsa.

2025

Workshops expand to three additional oblasts in Ukraine.

2026

Art exhibited at Chicago’s Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA).
Continued expansion through community partnerships.

Our partners

Guided by our mission, Painting the Future partners with organizations serving children affected by conflict and displacement. Through these partnerships, we sponsor and fund art workshops that provide safe, creative spaces for expression and healing.