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Website: Youthline Operating a help line for g***youth involves volunteers and costs for renting space. Using an art auction is a fun way to raise funds for the LGBT Youthline! The Art Gallery of Ontario hosted the space for the art auction and many local artists donated artworks to be auctioned to the public. Auctions are often fast and exciting for art buyers because the pricing is based on market demand, the buyers decide how much the artwork is, not the artist nor the organization nor an appraiser. Each piece has to sell for whatever the auctioneer can get from the public before the next piece is bargained off. The recent million dollars renovation on the AGO made it more meaningful and valuable for the LGBT Youthline to be included in the mainstream gallery. Often the problem of g***and transgender fundraising is sometimes due to being minority groups or ostracism from the heterosexual mainstream group. Luckily artists were generous about donating their artworks to help the LGBT Youthline continue to offer its services in the community. There was an advance preview too before the auction with appetizers and cash bar, speeches by the LGBT Youthline staff, which allowed media and serious buyers to decide which items they would like to buy. Most of the items probably sold for under $500 which makes this auction affordable for the average art fan to be a collector. The status of publicly buying an artwork which was displayed and auctioned in the AGO made it more appealing, including that it would benefit the non-profit organization of LGBT Youthline. There are other fundraisers which use creative activities to help g***groups such as clothing design in 'Fashion Cares' for HIV and AIDS, music and dancing with g***Pride Parade, and photos with SNAP! for AIDS. These public events raise money and awareness of target groups which need help. Perhaps this art auction for LGBT Youthline will become an annual fundraiser and publicity event for their operations. This would help establish their services to g***youth in Toronto who are confused about their personal identity and socialization, and will help cut down on suicides and violence triggered by such confusion.
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