About Us

At Artsmith we believe that every child, in spite of socio-economic status, should have access to the Arts.

New York City, one of the most racially diverse cities in the nation, has one of the most segregated public school systems when it comes to race and poverty. Children living in the city’s low-income neighborhoods, a significant amount in parts of the Bronx, have unequal access to the arts. In some areas, 42% of schools lack a certified arts teacher and nearly half lack both a certified arts teacher and a partnership with an arts or cultural organization.

Lack of access to the arts and arts education is not just a surface problem. The arts teach young people to express themselves while helping them build confidence, learn about teamwork and perseverance, and form social bonds. Art, in all its forms, also has an ability unmatched by other methods to allow people of all ages to develop empathy for others and to imagine the world in ways previously unforeseen.

Artsmith is a non-profit organization that provides quality arts-centered programming to underserved Bronx youth from the ages of 6-18. Many studies supported by education scholars and policy-makers, show that the Arts is necessary for providing a well-rounded education. We use the Arts to counter the widening gap between the socioeconomically elite and the disadvantaged. At Artsmith we believe that every child, in spite of socio-economic status, should have access to the Arts.

Artsmith’s Core Principle:
Artsmith is built on the premise that the world is better served when all people have equal opportunities. Art, in all its forms, has an ability unmatched by other methods to allow people of all ages to develop empathy for others and to imagine the world in ways previously unseen. The Arts can give a voice to the silenced. We want to help tomorrow’s leaders to find their voices and participate in the conversations that will shape their communities and the world.