JMF Giving Back: Creative Action
A Season of Gratitude and Giving
With Christmas and the New Year right around the corner, we are again reminded of the incredible community that surrounds us here in Austin — a city filled with creativity, compassion, and connection. At Jean-Marc Fray Antiques, we understand the power of beauty — how art, design, and the spaces we inhabit shape our sense of belonging, comfort, and joy. As a family business with deep French roots, we value the art of living well — gathering around food, creating homes filled with meaning, and surrounding ourselves with pieces that tell a story. These same values guide our love for Austin and our support of the organizations that nurture its people — those who provide safety, shelter, nourishment, and inspiration for our community to thrive.
A Focus on Empowerment through Art
This holiday season, we want to take a moment to highlight some of the organizations making a profound impact in our community. These nonprofits embody values we hold dear and we are honored to support their work. For our second spotlight on an Austin organization we at Jean-Marc Fray Antiques support, we are highlighting Creative Action.
Creative Action inspires creativity, unlocks potential, and transforms lives through arts education. Their programs reach students of all ages, using the arts as a tool for empowerment, empathy, and self-expression. As a business rooted in the beauty and craftsmanship of design, we know firsthand how art enriches lives — nurturing confidence, imagination, and healing.
Creative Action runs a variety of programs designed to bring arts education to young people and create dynamic learning experiences. Through creativity and expression, they are committed to social justice and teaching social, emotional skills. Using age appropriate teaching methods, they guide youth to become 4C students. 4C is a concept they use to describe students who are “Creative Artists, Courageous Allies, Critical Thinkers, and Confident Leaders.”
By offering Arts Education to students from all backgrounds, they are ensuring a communal solution to larger social questions. Per their website, “Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds who participate in the arts are five times more likely to graduate from high school (Americans for the Arts, 2013).” Likewise, “Students who participate in quality Social and Emotional Learning programs show improved classroom behavior, an increased ability to manage stress and depression, and better attitudes about their schools, themselves, and others (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, 2018).” These studies show the importance and longterm benefits of the work Creative Action is bringing to Austin.
Creative Action runs school based programs, after school programs, and community programs. Additionally, they have a gallery within their building that centers young artists from the Austin area.
Why This Cause Matters to Us
Our work with fine antiques and vintage design is centered around storytelling — bringing history, artistry, and humanity into modern spaces. Likewise, Creative Action helps write new stories for young people in our community. Beyond that, they help teach young people how to write, visualize, and share their own stories!
We believe that art should be available to all. Supporting those who make arts education possible, and who offer empowerment through beauty, aligns naturally with our purpose.
Join Us in Giving Back
This holiday season, we invite you to join us in supporting this incredible organization. Whether through a donation, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every effort helps build a stronger, more connected Austin. Please find opportunities to volunteer and donate, here.
With Gratitude
During this season of giving, we extend heartfelt gratitude to our clients, partners, and friends who make it possible for us to support these meaningful causes. Together, we can continue to nurture creativity, foster compassion, and make Austin a more beautiful place — inside and out.