History

Since 1977, Studio in a School has enriched over 600,000 children’s lives in New York City's five boroughs with the creativity of the visual arts. STUDIO’s unique method brings professional artists into school and community organizations to lead classes in drawing, printmaking, painting, and sculpting, and work with teachers to link art with other academic subjects.

During the financial crisis of the mid-1970s, New York City virtually eliminated the budget for arts education in the public schools. In response, Agnes Gund, philanthropist and President Emerita of The Museum of Modern Art, founded Studio in a School. Partnering with administrators, artists, supporters, and members of the New York City Board of Education, STUDIO dedicated itself to providing students with a full and meaningful visual arts experience. We establish multi-year partnerships between artists and educators designed to develop age-appropriate art programs, and we offer professional guidance to teachers and administrators at participating sites.

STUDIO provides programs to more than 120 schools throughout the five boroughs. Every year, over 90 professional artists devote some 45,000 hours to more than 25,000 pre-k through high school students. About 90% of all children who participate in our programs come from low-income homes.