Art for Progress (AFP) is set to launch its annual summer program for NYC public school students in July. Now in its sixth year, the program continues to evolve to address the needs of NYC’s young artists and musicians attending public schools across NYC.

The program, funded by The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, offers students interested in careers in the arts and music, summer guidance and instruction. For 2023, the program will shift to a mentorship focused program that offers select students the opportunity to work closely with professional artists across multiple genres including visual art, fashion design, music, and music production.

The long running program endured the challenging COVID years by creating an impactful online program that continued through 2021. In 2022, Art for Progress was very pleased to receive a three-year renewal for the funding of the program from The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation in 2022. With much joy, we returned to normal, in-person programming last year. A focused group of students and our energized teachers made the 2022 program a big success.

Knowing the foundations approach and goals for the summer program, AFP’s Founder Frank Jackson set out to make the 2023 program the best one yet.  The message from the foundation has always been, what will you do to improve the program, and how will the program evolve over time to address the needs of NYC’s young artists. In 2022, AFP developed a pilot mentorship program, pairing 7-time Grammy award nominee, composer, arranger, producer, and multi- instrumentalist Ze’ Luis Oliveira with musician, producer, recording engineer Franklin Santiago. The program/experience left a lasting imprint on both artists.  Franklin Santiago said, “It was such an amazing experience that I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.” We are very pleased to have Ze’ Luis leading our program in music production, recording and engineering for this years program.

The teachers for the 2023 program are an exceptional group with vast experience as both professional artists, teachers and mentors. They bring the perfect balance of leadership and real world knowledge that young artists desperately need in an increasingly competitive field.

For 2023. AFP is looking for those special students who are ready to take the next step in becoming a professional artist. We are creating a focused program based on mentorship and instruction, where a small group of students will work closely with professional artists who will guide them and prepare them for their next steps in their career development. Art for Progress is looking to work closely with schools across NYC to identify students who will be a great fit for the program. They will also be reaching out to former students of the program who can apply.

The general structure of the program will be four hours a day, or possibly 6 hours a day. Two days per week. A total of 48 hours of programming over 4-6 weeks.  

You can apply here. Visit artforprogress.org for updated information.  Contact admin@artforprogress.org with questions.

APPLICATION: https://forms.gle/dZUmPMeNQXnECoZh7