Image: freeartsnyc.org
“For many education advocates, the arts are a panacea: They supposedly increase test scores, generate social responsibility and turn around failing schools.” – Brian Kisida, Jay P. Greene, and Daniel H. Bowen for The New York Times
For decades, researchers have investigated the correlation between the arts and academic achievement, a topic that, happily, has been getting more and more attention with every new school year. The arts have been proven to be invaluable outside of the classroom, too, expanding the possibilities for children who don’t have the ability to express themselves or develop through any other means. At-risk children, especially, can benefit from the promise of boosted self-confidence, a creative outlet, and life skills to be gained from exposure to the arts.
One organization that strives to better the lives of children through the arts is Free Arts NYC, a nonprofit organization that’s mission is to provide high-quality art opportunities to low income, homeless, and neglected children in order to foster creativity and the resiliency necessary to realize their fullest potential. Free Arts NYC has touched the lives of more than 30,000 children since its formation in 1997, and hopes to help many more.
Recently, Free Arts NYC underwent a massive rebranding to garner more support from its community and to draw attention to the importance of exposing young people to the arts. Its campaign, “The A to Z Project,” invited 40 local designers, artists, and typographers to partake in creating a new look for the organization, all while increasing awareness about its programs. Learn more about Free Arts NYC and its rebranding campaign in our full profile of the organization.