Since 1977, Studio in a School has enriched over one million 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 schools and community organizations to lead classes in drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpting, media-tech, and 2-D applied design 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 Department 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.
Today, Studio NYC engages over 32,000 students in all five boroughs each year, predominantly students who live in New York City’s most economically disadvantaged communities. The Studio Institute, now operating in six U.S. cities in addition to New York, focuses on research and dissemination of best practices in visual arts education as well as college and career readiness for teens and young adults.
