Overview
Overview
Art = Impact
projectart serves children who don’t have access to arts education at school by partnering with public libraries to provide free, high-quality art classes led by resident teaching artists who empower kids with the possibilities and potential of creative expression.
Art is a window to the wider world. Learning about art helps children think critically and interpret the world in unique and personal ways. It helps them express themselves. Engaging with art builds technical, problem-solving and decision-making skills. It fosters confidence, creativity, self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Children who have sustained access to arts education reap significant benefits :
96p
gain on the
SAT
3X
more likely to earn
a bachelor’s
degree
5X
less likely to drop
out of high
school
96p
gain on the SAT
But arts education in public schools has been in decline for decades, with historically under-resourced communities hardest hit. Currently, nearly 4 million U.S. children aren’t receiving any art instruction at school. ProjectArt was created to close the gap so that every American child has access to arts education – and all the benefits and advantages that come with it.
3X
more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree
All ProjectArt classes are held at local public libraries, an efficient, cost-effective and scalable model that has transformed these frequently under-utilized spaces into thriving community hubs – benefiting the students, their families and the communities at large.
5X
less likely to drop out of high school
To attract high caliber teachers, ProjectArt established a resident teaching artist program that provides paid development opportunities for local professional artists, studio space in the partner libraries, and public exhibitions for their own artwork as well as their students’.
But arts education in public schools has been in decline for decades, with historically under-resourced communities hardest hit. Currently, nearly 4 million U.S. children aren’t receiving any art instruction at school. projectart was created to close the gap so that every American child has access to arts education – and all the benefits and advantages that come with it.
All projectart classes are held at local public libraries, an efficient, cost-effective and scalable model that has transformed these frequently under-utilized spaces into thriving community hubs – benefiting the students, their families and the communities at large.
To attract high caliber teachers, projectart established a resident teaching artist program that provides paid development opportunities for local professional artists, studio space in the partner libraries, and public exhibitions for their own artwork as well as their students’.
Story
Read about our 12 years of operation, from our humble beginnings in Harlem to scaling our impact through public libraries across the country, and bringing our programs to tens of thousands of youth.
Thesis
projectart’s model was built after years of research, trials, testing, and refinement. To view a presentation our thesis visit the below link
Impact
projectart transforms public libraries into vital cultural hubs through artist residencies where contemporary visual artists teach free, after-school art classes to underserved youth, while developing new artwork in the library.
63%
89%
68%
62%
63%
of our students speak more than one language at home
89%
of ProjectArt students reported spending time at the library since starting classes.
68%
of ProjectArt students ages 8-18 checked out a book before or after class.
62%
of the families who accompany their children to ProjectArt classes end up picking up a book, using computers or taking advantage of other services at the library.
of our students speak more than one language at home
of projectart students reported spending time at the library since starting classes.
of projectart students ages 8-18 checked out a book before or after class.
of the families who accompany their children to projectart classes end up picking up a book, using computers or taking advantage of other services at the library.
Team
projectart transforms public libraries into vital cultural hubs through artist residencies where contemporary visual artists teach free, after-school art classes to underserved youth, while developing new artwork in the library.
board
board
Adarsh Alphons
Lisa Applebaum
Heidi Hovland
David McGhee
Agostina Pechi
Matthew Trebek
Kelly Vanasse
Staff
staff
Adarsh Alphons
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Danielle Steele
Vice President, PROGRAMS
Grace Van Dyk
coordinator, development
Heather Davis
grants Manager, Development
Jayme Campbell
GRANT WRITER, DEVELOPMENT
Lindsay Whittle
program manager, national
Lucy Smith
program manager, Detroit
Teresa Audet
program manager, PITTSBURGH
Noga Cohen
program manager, NEW YORK & NEWARK
Annual Reports
projectart transforms public libraries into vital cultural hubs through artist residencies where contemporary visual artists teach free, after-school art classes to underserved youth, while developing new artwork in the library.
In addition to detailed grant reporting on our programs, budgets and impact, we periodically publish Annual Reports. Kindly find our published reports below
Press
