Inaugural Report 2011-13

Inspiring Creative Achievers

inaugural report 2011-13

projectart.org

PROJECTART

Contents

INTRODUCTION03

THE VOID04

SOLUTIONS

BUILDING SUPPORT

FINANCE & GOVERNANCE

Facts

Harlem & Washington Heights

Classes

Exhibitions

Partners

Libraries

Schools

Impact

Walk the Talk

Fundraisers

Sponor a child/ Sponsor a class

Donors and In-Kind Donors

05

06

07

14

08

11

15

09

12

10

13

1817

19

16

Introduction

“The arts are nice, but not important.” You’ve probably heard those words before. The need for arts may not be something we think about often in our daily lives, yet the influence can be seen everywhere and in every-thing, particularly its effect on children. Did you know that if a child has continual access to arts education, they are five times more likely not to drop out of school? Or, that there is a much higher chance they would plan to attend college (74%)*, especially for children from economically disadvantaged communities? There are millions of children in the US that have no opportunity to be creative or express themselves artistically.

In the pages that follow, I invite you to meet a few of those millions of kids. You’ve probably seen them on your way to work or on the park, but didn’t realize the disparity. They are very real and they need our help. New York City has the greatest income gap for any metropolitan area in the country, and highest gap is in Harlem, where the median household income for the lowest fifth of the population is $6,073. In this context, education is everything - and art saves lives.

Think about it. And now, decide.

We are seeking to create change one child at a time, and we are not part of some billion dollar scheme. For about $20 a person, we know how to help millions, with a simple idea that just makes sense. To see us at work and to get inspired, its easy - just take a train uptown and visit our classrooms.

Adarsh Alphons

3 ProjectArt Inaugural Report

The Void# 1

Ongoing supressive cuts of arts education funding in public schools continue to disenfranchise an already thinly funded access to quality arts for the children in our city. In spite of numerous conclusive studies by research institutions that students who participate in the arts outperform their peers on virtually every measure, funding for arts education has dwindled in public schools. Arts Educa-tion Partnership’s Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning (1999) contends “learning in and through the arts can help ‘level the playing field’ for youngsters from disadvantaged circumstances”.

Facts

ProjectArt’s the best thing that’s ever happend to me

Quentin, student

If you were born into a family of low socioeconomic status, there is a very high chance you may never have access to arts educa-tion in your entire childhood. Chances are, you will have feel-ings of not belonging in school and will have intentions to drop out of school before graduation. In fact, if you don’t have access to arts education there’s five times more chance you would drop out from high school.

“”



“The arts opportunity gap is widest for children in high-poverty schools. This is absolutely an equity issue and a civil rights issue-just as is access to AP courses and other educational opportu-nities. Nearly four million elementary school students do not get any visual arts instruction at school during their formative learning years.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

In a breakdown of New York City neighborhoods, the biggest income gap is in Upper Manhat-tan. The median household income for the area is $207,053 for those in the highest one-fifth of the population com-pared with $6,073 for those in the lowest one-fifth.

The New York Times (2011)

Harlem & Washington Heights

” BlackAsianHispanicWhiteTwo or more races

28.2%

3.6%

49.7%

16.1%1.6%

Income inequality is greater in the NYC region than in any other state or metropolitan area in the country.

Census Bureau (2010)

”

“

Demographic dividend

101,512 35,327 89.1%Total number

of youth under 18Total single parent

homes with childrenPercentage of

rented households

Solutions# 3


Using an innovative, unique model of arts education, ProjectArt allows youth to actualize their artistic visions while building their self-esteem and advance as all-around achievers, based on three guiding principles:

Great teachers: ProjectArt’s team of passionate and experienced teaching artists make arts instruction a truly enjoyable and learning-centric experience. Our teachers are selected and trained via a rigorous and competitive teaching fellowship program ensuring their exceptional performance in the classroom and as professional artists, outside the classroom.

Curriculum: Our teachers tailor our curriculum so that it is relevant each day, to each student and grade. We put a lot of work into creating the right art curriculum for each group of students and we update our curriculums constantly. Exposure: We believe sharing great art from history with students - and in turn sharing children’s art with society is an intergral part of the child’s growth as creative achievers. This is why at the end of every residency, we showcase student work.

‘Young people produce self-directed arts projects solely because they want to; they are motivated not by what outsiders think or want, but by the young person’s own pride in the work and curiosity or passion for the medium.’

New Opportunities for Interest-Driven Arts Learning in a Digital Age, by Kylie Peppler (July 2013),

commissioned by The Wallace Foundation

The program allowed us to express our opinion using whatever art material we chose. It allowed me to do this with no boundaries whatsoever.

Sherese, student

Classes

”

“


Teaching in public libraries is a powerful way to make a long-term and significant impact on youth. However, across the nation, public schools and libraries have had their after-school and arts program budgets slashed. Neighborhoods in traditionally disenfran-chised communities are unevenly affected by these budget cuts. Having ProjectArt as an after-school option for the kids is a breakthrough opportunity. ProjecArt’s classes brings families and communities together in learning.

With a feasibility study and thoughtful planning, we hope to serve significantly more youth, by replicating our current model successfully with other branches of the public libraries in New York and nationally.

Libraries

A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert.

Andrew Carnegie

”

“


In 2013, ProjectArt launched its school residency program, geared to serve students from Pre-K through12th Grade in NYC schools. The program is tailored to each school and grade to create a dynamic art-learning environment that is in line with our philosophy and the school’s learning priorities. Residences greatly help students with their holistic development as critical thinking individuals by building key foundational art skills. Schools choose up to two different media in a 14-week residency – drawing, paintings, collage, printmaking, sculpture, murals, installation art or 2-D design. All art materials for the program are provided by ProjectArt.

Schools

‘To fully capitalize on the commu-nity hub model, libraries need to explore creative partnerships with New York-based organizations that have a successful track record in attracting participants to educa-tional programs, events and exhibi-tions.’

Center for an Urban Future’s ‘Branches of Opportunity’

Economically-disadvantaged students who had exposure to the arts are more likely to plan to earn a bachelor’s degree (74 percent) than were economically-disadvantaged students with little or no access to the arts (43 percent).

Teenagers and young adults of low socioeconomic status who have a his-tory of in-depth arts involvement show better academic outcomes than do youth who have less arts involve-ment. They earn better grades and demonstrate higher rates of college enrollment and attainment.

*‘The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies’

by National Endowment for the Arts

Here’s a simple, yet powerful fact to remember: youth who participate in the arts are4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement

3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools

4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair

The 4-3-4 Rule

Study by Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching.


When a child creates something beautiful, we take the time to celebrate it. This is a key aspect in our theory of change.

Each semester culminates in student art being exhibited professionally at participating art galleries in New York City. Overseen by curators; we call these Project Exhibi-tions, as it showcases the art projects the youth create. Through partnerships with galleries, businesses, interior designers and developers, we place student art in spaces that celebrate their work and contribute to the aesthetic value of its settings. Project Exhibitions provide an oppor-tunity for students to get the recognition they deserve and even develop insights into the world of art business. These exhibitions draw hundreds of New Yorkers who come to celebrate the student's handwork and creativity. So far, Project Exhibitions have been attended by thou-sands from the tri-state area, including families, fans, donors and tourists.

“Participants in the (ProjectArt) program not only produce art, they discuss the ideas behind it. They also learn about the business and entrepreneur-ial side of being an artist.”

DNA Info

Exhibitions

Project Exhibitions (PX) held so far:

PX I: Summer 2010Art Connects Gallery, October 2010PX 2: Fall 2010 & Spring 2011 Asya Geisberg Gallery, May 2011PX 3: Summer 2011The Hole Gallery, October 2011ProjectArt Launch ExhibitionOne Bryant Park, April 2012PX 4: Summer 2012Rio II Gallery, August 2012Solo Exhibition: Alphajo JallowRenee Weiler Gallery, November 2012PX 5: Fall 2012Renee Weiler Gallery, December 2012Solo Exhibition: Paula PersianiRenee Weiler Gallery, June 2013PX 6: Spring 2013Rio II Gallery, July 2013PX 7: Summer 2013Asya Geisberg Gallery, August 2013

When they see your work, you feel like a celebrity.

Malikye, student

”“


She loves the class and I’m happy to see that it’s for the community. We love the teachers and the exposure. ProjectArt just seems to know and understand the kids and their state of develop-ment.

Beatrice, parent

‘Young adults who had intensive arts experiences in high school are more likely to show civic-minded behavior than young adults who did not. They take an interest in current affairs, as evidenced by com-paratively high levels of volunteering, voting, and engagement with local or school politics.’

‘The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies’ by National Endowment for the Arts

Partners

”

“

Strategic partners are essential to moving ProjectArt forward. Thoughtful collaborations enable our programs to further meet the needs of our students whether it is through local social work with Fresh Air Fund, New York Mission Society, Hamilton Heights Families Concern, Community Boards 9, 10, 11, national and international organizations such as the United Nations and HELP USA or leading art partners such as The Hole and Asya Gesiberg Gallery. To date, these partners have collaborated with ProjectArt to benefit youth and families.


To have this opportunity at my age is

something I’m really grateful for.

Yrma, student

ProjectArt aims to level the playing field, particularly for youth from lower socioeconomic backgrounds by offering them a place to express themselves through art. Using our unique project-based learning model, we create an environment where students discover their artistic visions and achieve them on a scale and seriousness only available to established artists. Using art as a medium that crosses socio-economic, cultural and political boundaries, we empower youth to be a part of a cultural dialogue that spans the breadth of issues only a community as heterogeneous as this City faces. The vast majority of our students are of Black, Latin American decent and from immigrant families from all over the globe that have chosen Harlem as their home. The subjects that youth are enabled to address through color, shape and form, opens their doors and broadens their horizons, in a way other mediums rarely can, if at all. At the core of our belief system, we believe that everyone has a unique vision and that youth should have access to these services regardless of their ability to pay for them, which is why our program is free.

81.2 - 85% of students & parents believe the students’ self-confidence has improved by taking classes with ProjectArt

Independent report on ProjectArt

Total number of students to date

486

Number of Exhibitions held

10

Number of visitorsat our student

exhibitions

2000+

”

“

Number of artisticvisions actualized

486Girls71.3%

Boys29.7%

Impact

Number of teachers

9

Trips to theart supply store:

45+

Numberof class visitsby supporters

& guests

100+

Numberof volunteers

150+Largest student art project. By Paula,11 years

Smallest student art project. By Lola,5 years

6’ x 6’ 1” x 1”

Sheets of paper usedfor drawing

3000+

Yards of canvas used for painting

90+

Lib

rari

esFu

nd

rais

ing

Sp

onso

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ips

Wal

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he

Talk

Don

ors

# 3Building Support


To date, ProjectArt has held fundraisers at The Hole Gallery (thank you Kathy Grayson!) and at One Bryant Park (thank you Anita Durst!). Each gala features a contemporary art auction with works selected by estab-lished curators and auctioneers such as Cecelia Stucker and C.K. Swett. We partnered with ground-breaking venues in an exemplary union to ensure arts’ exciting future by inspiring young minds. In 2013, ProjectArt: Gala raised funds to provide classes for 540 students. In May 2013, ProjectArt in collaboration with Spirit and Flesh Magazine, held a charity fashion show at Lair Lounge.

Fundraisers


Sponsor a child

We are deeply grateful for those who have

surprised us with their generosity.

A big thanks to the following individuals

and companies who have helped make ProjectArt’s work

possible.

THE SHELLY & DONALDRUBIN FOUNDATION

Sponsor a class$200

$2,000

To sponsor a child or class, visit:projectart.org/sponsor

By sponsoring a child, you give one child a full semester of art

classes. At the end of the semester, each child will be a part of a

group exhibition at an art gallery. Sponors receive an advancement

report and an invitation to the exhibition.

To ensure individual attention for each student, a ProjectArt class is

typically 10 students. And, to celebrate their achievements, each

semester ends with an group exhibition. Sponsors will be

recognized, receive an advancement report, an invitation

to the exhibition and a painting from the students.


Andrea NewmanAndrew Sutherland

Anita DurstAnita Hossain

Anthony FeyerApril Hunt

Asya GeisbergAyda Turanli

Barbara BoyleBenjamin Lutz

Betina BethlemBill Fleisher

Brent LewisBrianna Miller

Bridget WilsonBruce Payne

Brynnemarie LanciottiCarl FosholtCarla Gannis

Carlos ArredondoCarlos Hassan

Ceceila StuckerCecilia Brignole

Chat TraviesoChristina Dalto

Christine RomansCK Swett

Curtis KuligDalah del PradoDaniel Weinberg

Darius WalkerDavid BrooksDavid Taylor

Derrick HardenDiana Buckley

Diane Nelson-MenningerDrew HeitzlerEd Templeton

Eddie MartinezElizabeth Radke

Elizabeth TullyEllie Copeland

Emily DufresneEmily Ford

Emily Noelle LambertErik Foss

Ethan BrekenridgeÉtienne Chambaud

Evelyn RomanFelisha NievesFeroz Khosla

Frank WebsterFred Lazarus IV

Gabrielle CuestaGarrett Pruter

Gaurav KatariyaGina RamcharanGlenn SchwartzGordon Tapper

Grace AliGrace Roselli

Grear PattersonGrimanesa Amoros

Heidi HatryHeidi Hovland

Ian PawelecIngrid Chung

Irena JurekIvan Roman Lazen

Jamie JohnsonJay Theprungsirikul

Jeethan SareenJennie KeinardJennifer Krantz

Jennifer StromeJennifer ZimmonsJoan Worthington

Jodiann StephensonJody Prusan

Joe PuthenveetilJohnny Leo

Kai BaileyKarl Apelgren

Karyn and Charles BenditKasper SonneKate Donnelly

Katerina PopescuKatharyn BoyleKathy Grayson

Kiki ValdesKim Cullen

Kristin NelsonKyle De Woody

Laura O’ReillyLauren Naru

Lee WellsLinda MylesLiz Insogna

Liz and Kirk RadkeLuella PurseLydia Clark

Mahalia WatsonMaia Ruth Lee

Marni GalisonMartynka Wawrzyniak

Marvin NardoMae Bagai

Mauricio BuenaveuturaMax RazdowMax Schapiro

Max SnowMeg Parsont

Menon DwarkaMia Lee

Michael D’AmelioMichael ClarkeMichael NorthMichelle Tilou

Micky SuMikaela BradburyNancy Rodriguez

Natalia ValentiniNikki Milavec

Olga AlexakosOsamu Kobayashi

Parita PatelPatricia Mora

Patrick MeagherPatrizia Comello

Paul TarrPaul TregidgoPeter Amaro

Pitor AdamskiRachel Esterday

Rachel RossinRebecca Wolsten

Richard BeckettRidley HowardRuchi Tibrewal

Hon. Robert JacksonRobin Perkins

Roopa UnnikrishnanRoz Bendit

Sage GrazerSally Araiinejad

Sebastien BrayshawSeth Zuckerman

Shelley & Donald RubinSidney MeyerSnejina Latev

Soledad O’BrienSree Sreenivasan

Stephanie BlackwoodStephanie RoachSteve Silverman

Steven GladstoneTania Torres-Delgado

Theodore BergerTracey Keij-Denton

Valerie BrownViolet Dennison

Visakh MenonZaire Baptiste

Zead Ramadan

Abigail GrimshawAdam Okrasinski

Agnes GundAgostina PechiAlexis Kondilis

Ali HayAli Velshi

Alphajo JallowAmbre KellyAmir Dossal

Donors and In-Kind Donors

Donors & volunteers

334

Students

486


Walk the Talk is NYC’s march to build awareness about the need for access to quality arts education for youth. In our inaugural year the event had a total outreach of over a hundred thousand people.

In 2012, ProjectArt, in partnership with Fountain Art Fair and artnet, launched an innovative public event, Walk the Talk., a public advocacy event that aims to build awareness about the need for access to arts and arts education for youth. Participants took a pilgrimage through the center of New York’s arts district – Chelsea, on the iconic High Line to engage New Yorkers to make arts education a priority and fight to put it back into children’s lives. Among others, City Councilman Robert Jackson, Chair of the City Council’s Education Committee, walked with our supporters and shared his thoughts on the importance of arts education.

Walk the Talk

Start

�nish

Finance and Governance# 4


OFFICE16.8% PROFFESIONAL

SERVICES6.7%

PROGRAMADMINISTRATION

37.1%

INSTRUCTION22.9%

RENT0.5%

SUPPLIES10.8%

100%

CORPORATE18.6%

FOUNDATIONS40.7%

INDIVIDUALS35.4%

EARNED0.5%

of your donationsare tax-deductible

Cash spent on operations

Income

FinancesPROGRAM OPERATIONS Instruction $29,075 Rent $7,000 Supplies $13,755 OFFICE EXPENSES Printing & Postage $2,676 Transportation $2,587 Website, e-News, Internet $2,550 Toll Free phone $1,240 Misc $3,628 Meetings $2,500 Internship program $1,000 Videos $5,179 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship $8,537 SALARIES $47,089 TOTAL $126,816

Shelley and Donald RubinThe Rubin Museum of Art

Agostina PechiGoldman Sachs

Grimanesa AmorosContemporary Artist

Sree SreenivasanChief Digital Officer

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jennifer KrantzVanity Fair

Anita DurstThe Durst Organization

Darius WalkerCNN Bureau Chief

New York

Amir DossalChairman

Global Partnerships Forum

Fred Lazarus IVPresident

Maryland Institute College of Art

Theodore BergerBoard Member

CUE Art Foundation

Gordon TapperChief, Special Section

United Nationsk

Board & Advisory Board

Adarsh AlphonsFounder & Executive Director

As seen on:

'ProjectArt' program turns New York Public Libaries into studios for young students uptown

© 2013 New York Daily News

One enterprising artist is painting over two public funding crises in one stroke. Adarsh Alphons wants to remedy the gap in art classes and public education, while simultaneously helping to restore youth programming to libraries, where budget cuts have eliminated thousands of hours programming. Alphons’ organization, Project Art, is turning the library into a studio where low-income uptowners ages 5 to 18 learn to prime a canvas, mix a color palette and sculpt a masterpiece.Project Art temporarily moved to the Hamilton Grange Library last fall when its former studios became a liability with leaking bathrooms and faulty sinks.“We urgently needed space, and libraries are unable to provide as much programming as they used to,” Alphons said.A libary spokeswoman called the partnership a "win-win situation" that works to the benefit of Harlem residents.

Alphons, 30, plans to expand the program to other branches in Harlem, including Countee Cullen.His ambitious proposal was born of an urgency to keep youth arts programs alive even when public money dried up.

“Art really saved my life,” said Alphons, who went from serial doodling to earning a commission from Pope John Paul II to create a mural and drawing a portrait for former South African leader Nelson Mandela. At the conclusion of Project Art classes, the student work is exhibited at a gallery in Chelsea. One student, Yrma Batista, called the experi-ence “awesome.”“To have that opportunity at my age is something I’m really grateful for,” added the 16-year-old East Harlem resident, who had never taken an art class before Project Art. In the fall, Alphons hopes to begin offering his programs at three Harlem library locations, and he’d like to set up the easels in Washington Heights and Inwood by spring. “It’s a partnership that just makes sense,” said Alphons.

inspiringcreative

achievers

@projectartnyc

projectartnyc

[email protected]

Inaugural Report 2011-13

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