activities · 20
what they do
direct service · 20
- Annual Surplus Drive Back-to-School Supply DistributionOperates an Annual Surplus Drive, in its 36th year, to distribute donated paper and office supplies to graphic arts teachers and students, supplementing program budgets.
- Annual Surplus Drive Back-to-School Supply DistributionOperates an Annual Surplus Drive, in its 36th year, distributing donated paper and office supplies to graphic arts teachers and students to supplement program budgets.
- Annual Surplus Drive for Graphic Arts Programs Back-to-School Supply DistributionOperates an Annual Surplus Drive, in its 36th year, to distribute donated paper and office supplies to graphic arts teachers and students, supplementing program budgets.
- Mobile Printing Museum Educational Programs Mobile and Pop-Up Science EducationOperates the "Museum on Wheels," a mobile exhibit that delivers educational programs from the Printing Museum to over 14,000 elementary school students annually in Southern California.
- Museum on Wheels Educational Program Mobile and Pop-Up Science EducationOperates the "Museum on Wheels," a mobile exhibit delivering educational programs from the Printing Museum to over 14,000 elementary school students annually in Southern California.
- Museum on Wheels Educational Program Mobile and Pop-Up Science EducationOperates the "Museum on Wheels," a trailer exhibit that delivers educational programs from the Printing Museum to schools in Southern California, reaching over 14,000 elementary school students annually.
- Print Excellence AwardsOrganizes the annual Print Excellence Awards, a regional competition recognizing innovation, craftsmanship, and technology within the printing, imaging, creative, and finishing industries.
- Print Excellence AwardsOrganizes the annual Print Excellence Awards, a regional competition celebrating innovation, craftsmanship, and technology in the printing, imaging, creative, and finishing communities.
- Reading Encouragement Program Book Distribution & Reading Space DevelopmentDistributes approximately 120,000 "READ, READ, READ" bookmarks annually to public libraries and elementary schools to encourage reading among young children.
- Reading Encouragement Program Early Literacy Book DistributionDistributes approximately 120,000 "READ, READ, READ" bookmarks annually to public libraries and elementary schools to promote reading among young children.
- Reading Promotion through Bookmarks Book Distribution & Reading Space DevelopmentDistributes approximately 120,000 "READ, READ, READ" bookmarks annually to public libraries and elementary schools to encourage reading among young children.
- Scout Merit Badge ProgramsAssists Boy Scouts in earning Graphic Arts and Paper & Pulp merit badges through a program offered 5 times a year, with 2,600 participants since 2011, and runs "Book Arts Patch Days for Girls" for Girl Scouts (ages 10-18) to complete their Books Arts Merit Badge, with 75 participants since 2015.
- Scout Merit Badge ProgramsAssists Boy Scouts in earning Graphic Arts and Paper & Pulp merit badges through a program offered 5 times a year, having served 2,600 scouts since 2011, and runs "Book Arts Patch Days for Girls" for Girl Scouts (ages 10-18) to complete their Books Arts Merit Badge, with 75 participants since 2015.
- Scout Merit Badge ProgramsAssists Boy Scouts in earning Graphic Arts and Paper & Pulp merit badges through a program occurring 5 times a year, and operates "Book Arts Patch Days for Girls," a 6-hour program for girl scouts (10-18 years old) to complete 80% of their Books Arts Merit Badge.
- Student Printing Competitions Student Art and Design CompetitionsHosts an annual student printing competition for high school and college students and teachers in graphic arts programs across five Southwestern states, with free entry and specific academic year cycles for submissions.
- Student Printing Competitions Student Art and Design CompetitionsHosts an annual student printing competition open to high school and college students and teachers in graphic arts programs across five Southwestern states, with free entry and specific academic year creation requirements.
- Student Printing Competitions Student Art and Design CompetitionsHosts an annual student printing competition for high school and college students and teachers in graphic arts programs across five Southwestern states, with free entry and specific academic year creation requirements.
- Workforce Development and Education Showcases Workforce Collaborative ConveningHosts executive luncheons and organizes tours of educational programs at colleges to discuss workforce development, succession planning, and showcase how these programs prepare students for careers in the print and graphics industry.
- Workforce Development and Industry Engagement Workforce Collaborative ConveningHosts executive luncheons and organizes tours of educational programs to facilitate discussions on workforce development and succession planning in the print industry, connecting industry leaders, educators, and students.
- Workforce Development and Succession Planning Events Workforce Collaborative ConveningHosts executive luncheons and organizes tours of educational programs to facilitate discussions on workforce development and succession planning within the print industry, bringing together leaders, educators, and students.
strategies · 10
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Competition-based education to develop student skills competition-based educationUses competitive events and design challenges to engage students in graphic arts, fostering creativity, technical proficiency, and career readiness in printing and design.
- Convening industry and education leaders for workforce development conveningFacilitates collaboration among industry leaders, educators, and students to address workforce challenges, succession planning, and build sustainable talent pipelines through strengthened partnerships.
- Facilitating collaboration for workforce development conveningThe organization facilitates collaborative discussions among print industry leaders, educators, and students to address workforce development and succession planning, emphasizing stronger partnerships between industry and education to create a sustainable workforce pipeline.
- Facilitating collaboration for workforce development conveningThe organization facilitates collaborative discussions and stronger partnerships between print industry leaders, educators, and students to address workforce development, succession planning, and create a sustainable workforce pipeline for the graphic communications industry.
- Fostering skill development through competitive events competition-based educationThe organization engages students and educators in graphic arts programs through competitive events to promote skill development in printing and design, offering grants to cover participation costs for state and national competitions.
- Fostering skill development through competitive events competition-based educationThe organization engages students and educators in graphic arts programs through competitive events and design competitions to promote skill development, creativity, and technical proficiency in printing and design. This approach includes providing grants to cover participation costs for students in state and national competitions.
- Grant support for student competition participation grant funding for competition participationProvides financial grants to students to cover registration costs for SkillsUSA State and National Competitions, lowering barriers to entry and supporting career advancement in the trades.
- Industry-wide advocacy through unified representation advocacyStrengthens the print industry's influence with regulators by advocating collectively, ensuring member interests are represented in policy discussions.
- Strengthening industry advocacy through a unified voice advocacyThe organization strengthens industry advocacy with regulators by presenting a unified voice on behalf of its members.
- Strengthening industry advocacy through a unified voice advocacyThe organization strengthens industry advocacy with regulators by presenting a unified voice, thereby influencing policy and regulatory outcomes for the graphic communications industry.
named programs · 11
what they call their work
Annual Surplus Drive
Collects donated paper and office supplies from members and distributes them to graphic arts programs.
Book Arts Patch Days for Girls
A 6-hour interactive day for girl scouts (10-18 years old) to complete most requirements for their Books Arts Merit Badge, with hands-on experiences in making paper, printing, and creating book structures.
Bookmark Competition
High school students design a bookmark based on provided messages and accompanying graphics.
Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Day
Assists boy scouts in earning Graphic Arts and Paper & Pulp merit badges in one day at the Printing Museum.
Festival Bundle for College Students
Students design a general admission pass, entry wristband, stickers, an exclusive invitation, and a photocard for a student-created music festival.
Holiday Card Competition
Requires students to design a holiday card centered around a holiday of their choice, including original graphics, a unique card fold, and a matching envelope.
Literacy Campaign
Distributes approximately 120,000 "READ, READ, READ" bookmarks annually to public libraries and elementary schools to encourage reading among young children.
Museum on Wheels
A trailer exhibit that brings educational programs about printing and graphics to schools in Southern California.
Pet Promotional Package
Students design a PR package for pet owners, including a personalized thank-you note, custom-decorated thermos, blanket, and other complementary elements.
School Spirit Stickers Competition
Invites students to design a set of three stickers reflecting school pride for their school.
SkillsUSA Grants
Provides grants to instructors on a first-come, first-serve basis to cover registration costs for students participating in SkillsUSA State and National Competitions.
relationships · 21
who they work with
- Canon USA Funder — Served as the exclusive event sponsor for the Colorado Executive Luncheon.
- PIA National Network — Frank Parks represented VMA on the PIA National Board from 2008 to 2010, indicating affiliation with the national printing industry association.
- PIA SC Network — Member of the Pacific Image Arts Association, a graphic communications association
- PIASC Partner — Co-organizes the Southwestern States Student Competition under the name Print Creative Alliance.
- Pacific Printing Industry Association (PPI) Partner — Joined forces with Print Creative Alliance (previously PIASC) in 2021, making them the largest regional association in the west of the United States.
- Preferred Partners Partner — Provides discount programs to members through partnerships with Preferred Partners
- Print Creative Alliance Network — Frank Parks, as President of The Parks Group, is recognized by the Print Creative Alliance as 2026 Executive of the Year, indicating organizational affiliation or recognition.
- Print Creative Alliance Partner — Joined forces with Print Creative Alliance (previously PIASC) in 2021, making them the largest regional association in the west of the United States.
- Print Creative Alliance Partner — Members donate paper and office supplies for the Annual Surplus Drive.
- Printing Industries Association Partner — Merged with to form Print Creative Alliance
- Printing Industries Benefit Trust Partner — Frank Parks joined the Printing Industries Benefit Trust in 2015 and has served as Vice Chairman since 2023, indicating a formal partnership in employee benefits.
- Printing Industries Credit Union Partner — Provides credit union membership benefits to employees of Print Creative Alliance members.
- Printing Museum Partner — The Museum on Wheels program brings its educational programs to schools; also involved in Boy Scout Merit Badge Days and Book Arts Patch Days for Girls.
- RAISE Foundation Funder — Provides an annual grant of $25,000 for the Museum on Wheels program, $2,500 for Boy Scout Merit Badge Days, and $1,500 annually for Book Arts Patch Days for Girls.
- Red Rocks Community College Partner — Co-hosted the 6th Colorado Executive Luncheon.
- Red Rocks Community College Partner — Hosted the Colorado Executive Luncheon and provided tours of its print and graphics programs.
- SkillsUSA Partner — Provides grants to students for SkillsUSA State and National Competitions.
- VMA Network — Frank Parks served on the VMA Executive Board from 2002 to 2023 and as Chairman from 2015 to 2018, indicating organizational membership and leadership.
- Visual Media Alliance Partner — Merged with to form Print Creative Alliance
- Warren Tech Partner — Co-hosted the 6th Colorado Executive Luncheon.
- Warren Tech Partner — Hosted the Colorado Executive Luncheon, provided tours of its print and graphics programs, and had culinary students prepare and serve lunch.