The Need / Our Solution

 

 The Need                                    

  • In New York City, hundreds of thousands of public school children have little or no access to the arts *
  • Under-funding and increasing focus on test taking leaves little room for arts education: the ratio of licensed arts specialists to students in NYC public schools
                 >Dance 1 : 6,626
                 >Theater 1 : 7,189
                 >Music 1 : 1,154
                 >Visual Arts 1 : 836
  • In 2009, the average poverty rate of students attending Arts to Grow programs in Brooklyn and Harlem was 79.8%.

The Solution

  • Students who participate in comprehensive, sequential and rigorous arts program show:
             >an 85% increase in communications skills;
             >a 50% decrease in new court referrals;
             >an increased ability to complete tasks;
             >and higher rates of academic success.
  • ATG's free neighborhood-based programs target "at-risk" urban youth and offers them a safe and high quality opportunity outside school hours to experience personal success despite negative influences such as gangs, substance abuse and crime.
  • ATG emphasizes strong, influential relationships between students, teaching artists, classroom teachers, program leaders and administrators. These relationships are proven to engage children in learning, creating mentoring relationships that build self confidence and leadership skills. 

Compiled from the following sources:
(IS 171, CEP Section II School Profile Part B: School Demographics and Accountability Snapshot (Version 2009-1A-March 2009), 2009)
(IS 302, CEP Section II School Profile Part B: School Demographics and Accountability Snapshot (Version 2009-1A-March 2009), 2009)
(PS 7, CEP Section II School Profile Part B: School Demographics and Accountability Snapshot (Version 2009-1A-March 2009), 2009)
(PS 75, CEP Section II School Profile Part B: School Demographics and Accountability Snapshot (Version 2009-1A-March 2009), 2009)
(PS 125 Ralph Bunche, CEP Section II School Profile Part B: School Demographics and Accountability Snapshop (Version 2010-1B-March 2009), 2009)
* Study by the Center for Arts Education, New York City (2007, Strategic Plan)