What Safeart Inc does

SafeArt is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by Tracy Penfield and headquartered in Chelsea, Vermont. The organization delivers trauma-informed expressive arts programming that integrates visual arts, movement, creative writing, drama, music, mindfulness, yoga, and nature connection to support mental health and well-being for individuals affected by trauma, abuse, and oppression. SafeArt operates two primary programs: the Youth Wellbeing Project, which partners with K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations across Central Vermont and the Upper Valley to integrate expressive arts and empowerment activities into curricula, and Healing Arts for Adults (HAICU), weekly group sessions serving femme-identified adults who have experienced trauma. In 2023, the organization reported serving approximately 300 youth, four public school partnerships, ten workshops and trainings, and operations across 35 communities.

The organization's core methodology is delivered by a six-person team of trauma-informed practitioners with diverse certifications spanning art therapy, medical herbalism and aromatherapy, yoga, marriage and family therapy, printmaking and textiles, and somatic practices. Founder Tracy Penfield developed the proprietary 'Tracing' method combining energy healing, movement, and voice. SafeArt has codified its methodology in published works including 'A Curriculum of Courage: Making SafeArt' (2016) and 'On Our Way... An Anthology of SafeArt Writing 2000-2010.' The organization delivers programs through direct service at partner schools, at the historic Mascoma Savings Bank Building facility in Chelsea, Vermont, and via community events and workshops.

SafeArt sustains operations primarily through grants from Vermont-based and national foundations including the Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Community Foundation, Couch Family Foundation, Mascoma Bank Foundation, Ben & Jerry's Foundation, and Vermont Children's Trust Foundation. Additional revenue streams include individual donations with monthly recurring giving options, corporate matching gift programs, donor-advised fund contributions, bequests, community art space rental at $25/hour, affiliate commissions from Blick Art Materials, and book sales. The organization's distribution channels span direct programming at school sites, on-site programming at the Chelsea facility, and community events across the Central Vermont and Upper Valley region.

Name

Safeart Inc

Legal name

SafeArt

Website

https://safeart.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SafeArt is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 in Chelsea, Vermont that delivers trauma-informed expressive arts programming — combining visual arts, movement, mindfulness, and creative writing — to youth in K-12 schools and femme-identified adult trauma survivors across Central Vermont and the Upper Valley.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Wellness and Expressive Arts Therapy

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Trauma-Informed Care & Crisis Response (School-Based) (EDAKAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trauma-Informed Mindfulness & Somatic Mind-Body Practices (HSADAJAI), Recreation Therapy, Stress Management & Mindfulness Programs (EDALAFAO), Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Trauma-informed care
• Expressive arts therapy
• Healing arts programs
• Youth wellbeing services
• Community wellness nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Chelsea

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grants and Foundation Funding: SafeArt is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit sustained primarily by grants from foundations including Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Community Foundation, Couch Family Foundation, Vermont Children's Trust Foundation, Vermont Afterschool, Mascoma Bank, Ben & Jerry's Foundation, National Life Group Foundation, and others.
2. Individual Donations: Monthly giving program and one-time donations from individual supporters. All donations are tax-deductible.
3. Space Rental: Community art space rental at $25/hour for yoga/movement studio, healing room, and visual art studio.
4. Corporate Matching Gifts: Donations matched through employer matching gift programs.
5. Book Sales: Sales of publications including 'A Curriculum of Courage: Making SafeArt' and 'On Our Way... An Anthology of SafeArt Writing'.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SafeArt delivers trauma-informed healing arts programs combining visual arts, movement, creative writing, drama, music, mindfulness, yoga, and nature connection. Core offerings include the Youth Wellbeing Project (K-12 school partnerships and classroom residencies), Healing Arts for Adults/HAICU (weekly group sessions for adult trauma survivors), professional development for educators, community classes and events, and a community art space available for rental in Chelsea, Vermont.

Product overview

SafeArt is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of trauma-informed creative expression programs. The core offerings consist of the Youth Wellbeing Project, which provides K-12 school partnerships integrating expressive arts and mindfulness into curriculum, and Healing Arts for Adults (HAICU), weekly group sessions for trauma survivors using yoga, art, and movement modalities. Additional offerings include SafeArt Publications (books documenting their methodology), Classes & Events (workshops, summer camps, community gatherings), Community Art Space Rental (physical spaces available to rent), and Professional Development Programs for educators. The organization operates from Chelsea, Vermont serving Central Vermont and the Upper Valley communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Wellbeing Project: Prevention, Resource and Healing Program that partners with K-12 teachers, counselors and youth-serving organizations to integrate expressive arts, mindfulness and empowerment activities.
• Healing Arts for Adults (HAICU)
• SafeArt Books

Products and services

• Youth Wellbeing Project A prevention, resource, and healing program that partners with K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations to integrate expressive arts, mindfulness, and empowerment activities into curriculum and programming. Includes classroom residencies, student and staff support programs, and professional development. Targets youth aged 8-21 including those with personal histories of trauma, social isolation, or those seeking self-care tools and creative expression outlets.
• Healing Arts for Adults (HAICU) Weekly group sessions and workshops for femme-identified adults who have experienced trauma, using modalities including mindfulness, yoga, visual art, creative writing, movement, and breath work to support healing and resilience. Delivered at SafeArt's Chelsea, VT facility in intimate small groups.
• SafeArt Publications Published works including 'A Curriculum of Courage: Making SafeArt' by founder Tracy Penfield and 'On Our Way... An Anthology of SafeArt Writing 2000-2010', which document trauma-informed creative expression methodologies. Available for purchase.
• Classes & Events Community programming including workshops, summer camps (CoCreators Summer Camps, Mindfulness Creativity and Social Justice Camps), yoga classes, and community art events such as the 'Grief Processing Through Creativity' series and 'Movies Under the Stars' outdoor cinema. Open to the public and the wider community.
• Community Art Space Rental Rental of three distinct spaces at the historic Mascoma Savings Bank Building in Chelsea, VT: a yoga/movement studio, a healing room with massage table and chairs, and a visual art studio. Available at $25/hour to practitioners, facilitators, and groups.
• Professional Development Program Training programs for educators and staff to increase recognition of developmental and societal trauma in classrooms, develop trauma-informed practices, and support student resiliency through creative expression and community circles. Available to K-12 teachers, counselors, and school staff.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300 youth helped in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• River ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating to provide unique art opportunities for SafeArt participants.
• Mosaic VTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking together to provide support for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
• SafeLine and Orange County Domestic and Sexual Violence TaskforceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSharing resources, participating in community events and supporting each other in serving domestic and sexual violence survivors.
• Blick Art MaterialsminorOthersAffiliate partnership where SafeArt receives commission from Blick Art Materials purchases. Also provides art supply donations for programs (2018-2023).
• Chelsea Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for HAICU program providing healing arts programming for patients.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Burlington City Arts: Larger, established Vermont arts and culture nonprofit offering exhibitions, classes, and community programs in Burlington. Comparable as a larger Vermont arts nonprofit but without a therapeutic/trauma-informed mission.

Direct peers

• Mindful Schools: National organization providing mindfulness and SEL curriculum, training, and certification for K-12 educators. Directly comparable as a school-based mindfulness/trauma-informed provider competing for the same K-12 SEL channel.
• Prevent Child Abuse Vermont: Vermont nonprofit focused on child abuse prevention and family support through education, advocacy, and home-visiting programs. Comparable as a VT-based child welfare/trauma prevention nonprofit targeting overlapping youth populations.
• HopeWorks VT: Vermont-based organization providing crisis intervention, prevention, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking. Comparable as a Vermont trauma support nonprofit with overlapping beneficiary populations.
• Mosaic Vermont: Vermont-based nonprofit serving victims of domestic and sexual violence through advocacy, support, and education. Directly comparable as a Vermont social services nonprofit addressing trauma, and explicitly a SafeArt partner for survivor referrals.
• Center for Trauma & Embodiment: National organization advancing trauma-informed somatic and body-based practices, including training and resources for practitioners. Comparable for its focus on embodied/somatic trauma modalities overlapping with SafeArt's movement and expressive arts approach.
• Sidran Institute: National nonprofit providing trauma education, resources, and support for survivors and the professionals who serve them. Comparable as a trauma-focused educational and supportive services organization with a similar mission space.
• Voices of Hope (Louisville): Kentucky-based nonprofit using expressive arts, writing, and performance to support survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Directly comparable as a trauma-informed expressive arts nonprofit serving survivors through creative modalities.

Emerging players

• Exhale (Em Heuser): BIPOC-centered meditation and emotional wellbeing app providing culturally relevant mindfulness content for trauma and stress. Comparable as a trauma-adjacent mindfulness platform with a similar emotional-wellbeing focus but delivered via a digital app rather than in-person arts programming.

Regional players

• River Arts (Morrisville, VT): Vermont-based community arts nonprofit offering classes, exhibitions, and arts programming across multiple Vermont locations. Comparable as a regional Vermont arts nonprofit but broader arts scope without a trauma-informed focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safeart-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safeart Inc