ProjectArt

ProjectArt’s purpose is to unleash the power of creativity in every child and change the way the world values arts education. Founded in 2011 by Adarsh Alphons with a bag full of art supplies and a borrowed office space in Harlem, there was one goal only: to put paintbrushes in the hands of children that didn’t have access to arts education. Over the last 4 years, with the help of hundreds of volunteers and resources, ProjectArt has created a model of change that confronts the arts education crisis, impacting youth on a large scale. ProjectArt maintains a 15 to 1 student-teacher ratio in its' art classes offered in New York City public libraries in all 5 boroughs, creating a ripple effect of cultural engagement and community-building through dialogic, learning-centered curriculums reflective of student's traditions and community. In addition to the NYC Public Library System, ProjectArt has a partnership with Teachers College, Columbia University, where hired graduate students work in our classrooms to strategize curriculum. At the end of each semester, exhibitions of student artwork are hosted at contemporary art galleries in NYC. To date, the organization has 4 full time, 1 part time, 1 intern, 2 boards, and hundreds of volunteers. ProjectArt is planning an even larger expansion, possibly looking beyond the borders of NYC. This past year, it has been funded by Rockefeller Foundation, among other prestigious funders, and founder Adarsh Alphons was made a CNN hero.