This Thursday I will be heading downtown to attend the third annual Timeraiser event to support local artists and nonprofit organizations. The evening is part volunteer fair, part silent art auction and part night out on the town.
The purpose of the Timeraiser’s event is to promote civic engagement, help nonprofits find skilled labor, and improve the experience of bringing people to causes and causes to people. At each event, young professionals seeking volunteer opportunities are brought together with representatives from local nonprofits in need of their skills, all the while celebrating and supporting the work of artists in the community.
How do they accomplish all this? Basically, Timeraiser is a silent art auction, but with a twist. Instead of bidding money for art, participants bid volunteer hours to give to local nonprofits. Successful auction bidders then have 12 months to complete their volunteer pledge and when they do, they get to bring the artwork home as a reminder of their goodwill. During the 12 months, the artwork is displayed in corporate offices around the city. All artists are paid fair market value for their work thanks to Timeraiser’s generous corporate partners.
Their goal this year is to raise 4,000 volunteer hours, invest $10,000 in the careers of artists, connect 200 people to causes they care about, and support the work of 20 nonprofit organizations. Help them achieve their goals by attending this Thursday, May 30th at the Manitoba Hydro building on Portage Avenue. Doors are open to the public at 6:30 p.m., with the silent art auction beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $15 or $10 if purchased online at www.timeraiser.ca/winnipeg
For more information please visit the Timeraiser website at www.timeraiser.ca/winnipeg
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Vicki Anne Melo is a freelance writer and aspiring author. Follow her @vickiannemelo or vickiannemelo.com.