Art Programs For 5,000 In-Need New York Children

We hope you had a lovely summer and are enjoying this crisp start to fall!

We are so excited to be back in the classroom bringing artistic opportunities over several disciplines to the children of New York City!

Programming Preview and Updates

1. Our Artistic Residency Program continues to grow as we are expected to provide over 480 in-person workshops between our school partners PS15, PS19, PS163, New Alternatives for Children (NAC), Williamsburg High School of Arts and Tech, Corlears School, Weeksville Elementary and Renaissance Charter School 1 in Jackson Heights.
   
   
2. This year, we are en route to surpass 560 in-person workshops between our school partners PS15, PS76, PS163, PS194, PS155, and both of our Renaissance Charter School locations in Elmhurst and Jackson Heights through our Literacy Through the Arts Program!
   
   
3. Arts For All's initiative to provide bilingual programming into some of our in-person programs continues to flourish. Our roster includes several Teaching Artists who are fluent in Spanish as well as several other languages to help address any communication gaps that may be present within our workshops. Be sure to check out our Virtual Classroom for bilingual activities as well!
   
   
4. Since our partnership with the Corlears School began in Fall 2021, we've been having great success in offering this in-person weekend program through their Learn. Play. Grow. initiative. This year, Teaching Artist Nicole Hogsett will lead arts and crafts activities to spark imagination with young children on Saturdays through this fabulous program working to create greater access and equity in the community.
   
   
5. Audience Project returns to the classroom this school year! Produced and performed by AFA Teaching Artist Mélissa Smith, this production is an original, immersive experience that combines live theatrical performance with hands-on, inquiry-based learning across various classroom settings. Designed to tour multiple classrooms across our partner schools and tailored to students receiving our Literacy Through the Arts programs, this interactive experience invites students to become active investigators. In the performance, Mélissa transforms into an eccentric "Mad Scientist" character whose latest research is riddled with questionable claims. Students step into the role of "research assistants," working collaboratively in small groups to analyze clues, case files, and evidence from their investigation station. Together, they distinguish credible information from misinformation and help to correct the Mad Scientist's findings. Through collaboration and evidence-based inquiry, students strengthen essential research, literacy, and evaluation skills while engaging in a playful, immersive theatrical experience. 

Core Values Assessment Summary

In School Year 2025-26, we saw high levels of growth in our 5 Core Values, based on data taken from across our programs. On average, we recorded students increasing:

• 25% in self-confidence
• 31% in self-expression
• 21% in teamwork
• 19% in resilience
• 29% in creativity

We also recorded a 41% increase in literacy.  

What's New In Our Virtual Classroom?

This summer we premiered our latest Artistic Residency Program video series titled Dancing with Nature with Ms. Nami! Dancing with Nature is a creative movement video series that invites young learners to explore nature through observation, imagination, and dance. In three parts, students discover movement inspired by water, sky, and trees. Through movement exploration and dance-making, students build creativity, confidence, and self-expression while connecting with the natural world.  Watch this series in the Educational Video Series section of our Virtual Classroom.

Also, this summer we created the Fun Craft Friday Library! Each craft that we share across our social media platforms will be available in a downloadable and printable PDF. Visit the Interactive Activities section of our Virtual Classroom on our website. 

Thank You!

None of this would be possible without the support of donors like you who see the importance of Arts For All’s work and make contributions to keep us fully operational. It’s amazing to see the difference a dedicated community can make for thousands of students in New York City!