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Celebrating 19 Incredible Years of Arts Ignite!
Arts Ignite’s 19th birthday is officially here! 19 years ago, on March 6, 2006, Mary-Mitchell Campbell, along with a group of her university students, founded our organization (then called Artists Striving to End Poverty) with the belief that every young person has a story to tell, and all deserve access to a high quality arts education.
From that initial spark, our organization’s light has grown every single year. With programming in five NYC boroughs, three U.S. states, and three continents, we now illuminate the lives of 6,500 youth a year through the arts.
Over the years, we’ve created so many incredible memories and seen so many stories of impact. As we reflect on the past 19 years, we wanted to share some of these highlights with you as well:
#ASTEPSings: Where You Lead – A collaborative performance featuring Arts Ignite students from around the world.
“I feel so happy” – Abou’s Inspiring NYSA Story – After several years participating in Arts Ignite programming, Abou shares how the arts have helped him find his voice.
Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration – Organized by Mary-Mitchell Campbell along with Raul Esparza, this star—studded concert raised crucial funds for Arts Ignite during the COVID-19 pandemic and introduced our work to a whole new audience.
Program Spotlight: The Young Women’s Leadership School Summer Program – Look back at the moment Arts Ignite officially reached every single borough! Three years later, this program has grown in scale, becoming one of our key partnerships.
“Our mission—to help young people find their voice through the joy and potency of making art—has guided us in developing agency, building critical life skills, and fostering creative expression among youth.”
– Mary-Mitchell Campbell
We could not be more grateful for the amazing supporters, Teaching Artists, and partners who made this work possible. Already this year we’ve seen many incredible programs, with many more in the works. Check back here for more inspiring stories, and click the link below to support our work! Thank you!
