Creative Pursuits Program
The Creative Pursuits Arts Program is the vision of Ken Baltes, who was an artist with a background in computer technology. He was always artistic, but art finally became a focus after his retirement in 2015. Ken was diagnosed with ALS in 2020. He quickly joined The ALS Association board in Minnesota and was very active in the ALS community.
Toward the end of his life, Ken put together a committee to make his goal of bringing the arts to others who are living with ALS a reality. Research supports what he strongly believed in, the beneficial power of creative arts for improving the quality of life for someone living with a chronic condition like ALS. It is because of Ken and his devotion to this idea that we are creating this artistic program today.
Works by Ken Baltes
Arts Program Director, Liz Stanley, comes to us with a background in art education, and has been teaching art from preschool age to adults, in every medium, for the last sixteen years. Liz recently moved back to the states after seven years teaching abroad in Turkey, Cambodia and Costa Rica. Liz lost her best friend, who was an amazing artist, to ALS nearly three years ago.
This has inspired me to bring my passion for the therapeutic power of creation to people living with ALS. - Liz Stanley
In the vision of Ken Baltes, Liz is here to cultivate creative experiences for people living with ALS and launch our Creative Pursuits program through The ALS Association-Minnesota hub. This program will expand as it takes root and soon be offered in neighboring states.
If there is an idea or creative pursuit you'd like to share, or if you would like to donate time, materials or creative space please collaborate with Liz at [email protected].
View and Download the Creative Pursuits Program + What is ALS Fact Sheet
