Humanities Preparatory Academy, our flagship music education program, suffered a budget cut of $130,000 this year.  As a result, they have to eliminate half of the music classes AFP has been providing for the past 6 years. The school is located in Chelsea, but it’s mostly attended by students from under-served communities in Harlem and the Lower East Side. AFP’s music program is the only music program at the school. With each year, there are more students that want to take music classes than we can accommodate.

As we’ve seen time and again, music and art classes are the first to go when cuts like this happen. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to supplement the budget and fund the program for the upcoming school year. If we can raise the necessary funds, we can continue to serve as many kids as possible and maintain the vital music and arts presence that has become a signature of the school’s culture. Our mission is to provide creative arts programs for all New York City public school students. Every child should have the opportunity to learn creative skills and problem solving.

Please make a donation right now to help us fulfill our mission. We have some exciting gifts that we’re offering to exceptional contributors as an added incentive, including artwork and private music performances and lessons. Thank you in advance for your help!

Please watch this short video from AFP’s Director, Frank Jackson and Educator, Barry Komitor.

Take a look at the suggested donation levels and associated gifts and make a donation:

• $50 donation  – a BIG hug and a shout out!
• $75 donation  –  a comp ticket to our next event!
• $100 donation – a limited edition art book, “Critical Mass” (image below) 5 available
• $250 donation – Large, limited, signed prints, various artists (info, images below) 3 available
• $350 donation – Black and White one hour photo session with award winning photographer Berette Macaulay (Seattle area only, inquire for more information, admin@artforprogress.org)
• $500 donation – Original paintings, various artists, mediums (info, images below) 3 available
• $750 donation – Choice of 3 private guitar lessons (Barry Komitor) or DJ lessons (Frank Jackson) 2 of each available
• $1,000 donation – a two hour music performance, venue of your choice (local), Barry Komitor
• $1,000 donation – a two hour DJ performance, venue of your choice (local), Frank Jackson
• $2,000 donation – an original painting by artist Artem Mirolevich (info, images below)
• $2,000 donation – an original painting by artist Juan Manuel Pajares (info, images below)