The statistics are startling: one in five New York City public school students missed more than a month of classes last year. That’s where the Urban Arts Partnership comes in. The nonprofit targets underserved public school students with innovative in-school and after-school programs.
“I was always an avid believer in the power of the arts and its impact on education,” says Tavia Hartley, executive assistant at Urban Arts Partnership. “Everyone here believes in the mission of the organization, and there is no greater feeling than doing our part in addressing inequalities in education and inspiring the growth of arts education.”
By using the arts as an educational tool, the organization engages students and helps close the achievement gap. By doing things like taking a popular song and replacing the original lyrics with ones that speak directly to students, Urban Arts Partnership can transform an average history class into something inspiring.
Year founded: 1991
Employees: a total of 150 in and out of the office
Where we’re based: WeWork member based in New York
Moment of inspiration: “We are here to address inequity in education by providing an arts-based curriculum for students that come from underprivileged backgrounds,” says Hartley. “The CEO wanted to bring these services to schools that needed them.”
Biggest hurdle: “Adjusting the achievement gaps in education and just finding different means in which to adequately address social justice,” says Hartley.
How we want to change the world: “By having the next generation of scholars and students carry on education and do good work,” says Hartley.