September 29, 2021

The Bateman Foundation is thrilled to announce a promising new partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. The two organisations will work together to deliver the foundation’s flagship art education program, Nature Sketch, to young people across the country.

The partnership is made possible by a $25,000 donation from Intact Public Entities. The funding will enable delivery of the Nature Sketch program to up to 500 mentees in a variety of locations across Canada. It will also allow the Bateman Foundation to develop unique and engaging online programming: a huge benefit during these challenging and isolating times.

Nature Sketch, which was launched in 2016, aims to rebuild our relationships with nature through the simple art of sketching: participants are guided by an artist and a naturalist as they learn about local ecosystems through sketch and study. Studies have shown that reconnecting with nature can help boost overall well-being, improve energy, build resilience, lift depression and improve general mental health. In addition, the act of sketching itself reduces stress: levels of cortisol lower significantly while drawing, regardless of a person’s artistic skill.

Matthew Chater, National President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, said:
“The Nature Sketch program is timely and provides an excellent tool for our young people and their mentors to use in improving mental well-being. Our recent research demonstrates that while our mentored youth have fared better during the pandemic than non-mentored youth, there is still an urgent need to do more. We thank The Bateman Foundation and Intact Public Entities for this incredible collaboration that will help ignite the power and potential of the young people we serve.”

Larry Ryan, President, Intact Public Entities, said:
“We applaud the work being done by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and are pleased to help bring Nature Sketch to hundreds of children across the country, especially as we navigate COVID and its implications to our mental and social health.”

For the Bateman Foundation, the Nature Sketch program offers a valuable opportunity to enable youth to use art and nature to find solace during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peter Ord, Executive Director of the Bateman Foundation, said:
“This exciting partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada and Intact Public Entities is a perfect reflection of how we can work together as a community to ensure children find mental well-being through the power of creativity and nature.”

For media inquiries, please contact: Danyelle Catini, Head of Marketing and Communications, The Bateman Foundation [email protected]

About the Bateman Foundation:
The Bateman Foundation, a national charity, is currently one of the only non-profits in Canada primarily using artwork to promote a connection to nature. One of the foundation’s core initiatives is the Bateman Gallery in Victoria BC, which hosts the largest collection of works by legendary artist and naturalist Robert Bateman, along with a rotation of nature-inspired exhibits and a full schedule of programs. For more information, visit batemanfoundation.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/batemanfdn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batemanfdn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/batemanfdn

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada:
Established 109 years ago, the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is to enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides one-on-one and group mentoring services for more than 40,000 children and youth in 1,100 communities across Canada. Many young people face adversities in their lives, resulting in toxic stress that can negatively impact their development. With the support of a mentor, young people can overcome these adversities and develop the confidence to reach their full potential. Visit http://bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigbrothersbigsistersofcanada/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbbsc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbbsc

About Intact Financial Corporation:
Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) is the largest provider of property and casualty (P&C) insurance in Canada, a leading provider of global specialty insurance, and, with RSA, a leader in the U.K. and Ireland. Our business has grown organically and through acquisitions to over $20 billion of total annual premiums.

In Canada, Intact distributes insurance under the Intact Insurance brand through a wide network of brokers, including its wholly-owned subsidiary BrokerLink, and directly to consumers through belairdirect. Intact also provides affinity insurance solutions through the Johnson Affinity Groups.
In the U.S., Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions provides a range of specialty insurance products and services through independent agencies, regional and national brokers, and wholesalers and managing general agencies.

Outside of North America, the Company provides personal, commercial and specialty insurance solutions across the U.K., Ireland, Europe and the Middle East through the RSA brands.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IntactPE
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intact-public-entities
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntactPECanada/

The Bateman Foundation’s Nature Sketch in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada due to generosity of Intact Public Entities Media Release