An ELI student created Creative Use for All (CUfA), a program that redistributes donated arts and crafts supplies to make creative materials more accessible while reducing waste. Through donation boxes across campus and Isla Vista, the project diverted over 10 pounds of supplies from landfills and gave students free access to materials. CUfA is working toward opening a permanent campus location.
Creative Use for All (CUfA) started from a place of creative expression and the abundance of materials. Having left for college, ELI student Cacee Tran noticed that her arts-and-crafts materials, such as yarn, jewelry-making supplies, and fabric, were not being used. Through her ELI project, she aims to put these materials to use by creating a physical location where students can drop off and pick up excess arts and crafts supplies. CUfA aims to extend the longevity of these materials, support sustainability, and increase accessibility to arts and crafts supplies.
During the Winter Quarter of the 2025-2026 school year, Cacee placed donation boxes throughout the UCSB campus and Isla Vista, where students and community members could drop off excess arts and crafts supplies. Some locations included the residence halls’ lobbies, Isla Vista Community Service District, the Student Resource Building, and Ellison Hall. In hopes of collecting excess supplies, Cacee seeks to divert these materials from our ever-growing landfills and into the hands of students. Over the 10 weeks, a plethora of materials were collected: 18 sticker packs and sheets, 20 stamps, 11 calendars, 17 washi tapes, felt and fabric scraps, and so much more! All these materials totaled over 10 pounds diverted from landfills.
The importance of collecting these materials, beyond reducing waste generation, is to expand access to arts and crafts supplies. Students can begin new projects with materials from CUfA for free. CUfA also allows students to use only what they need, rather than purchase excess amounts. In collaboration with the Arts and Crafts Club at UCSB, students created cardboard vases with materials supplied from CUfA and the Arts and Crafts Club as part of UCSB's Earth Month celebrations. Students were able to enjoy the sun, sweet treats, and indulge in creative endeavors. With the opening of a physical location (in progress), students will be able reap the benefits from the materials collected by CUfA. This would enable them to creatively express themselves through all the various mediums of art. CUfA intends to be a place where students and community members can stop by to drop off or pick up supplies needed for all and any projects imaginable! Information about a permanent location will be updated here when finalized. Until then, you can follow CUfA on Instagram @cufa.ucsb.