News & Events

Hello! I am so thrilled to share that we’ve changed our name from ASTEP to Arts Ignite!  This renaming is a more accurate expression of our identity and purpose as an organization, deepening our connection to our mission. We develop agency in young people through the arts by supporting the creative capacity, community, and courage...

ASTEP is fifteen years strong! This past year has been an opportunity for reflection that has ignited great change.  Your support ensured ASTEP’s continued growth in an ever changing landscape, and we are so grateful for you.  Because of you, the young people we serve will have the courage, community, and creative capacity to build a...

Dear Friend, What a year it has been! 2021 marked not only a significant milestone for ASTEP as we celebrated our 15th anniversary, but also a year of significant growth for the organization fueled by critical reflection of our past and strategic planning for the future. ASTEP supporters are unique. You show up for young...

Please join us in extending a very warm welcome to our newest Board Member, Dipti Verma! Dipti Verma is Director of Market Data at S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPGMI) based in New York. She is the Global lead for the Fixed Income Data management team that supports terms & conditions and pricing data, credit ratings,...

For a fourth year, ASTEP is honored to select two stellar Teaching Artists as recipients of the Jennifer Saltzstein Kaffenberger Fellowship for their work with ASTEP Arts at the Newcomer Youth Summer Academy 2021. We are thrilled to announce this year’s fellows – Morgan McGhee & Zahra Budhwani.  ASTEP provides the arts component of The International...

We are thrilled to welcome Lindsay Roberts to the ASTEP staff as Director of Programs! Where did you grow up?I was born outside of Chicago but grew up outside of Philadelphia so it’s all about soft pretzels and Wawa coffee for me! Where did you work before joining the ASTEP team?Prior to coming to ASTEP,...

UPDATE: We have now expanded our scholarship eligibility to students living anywhere in the US! The ASTEP Changemakers Scholarship will award six $1,000.00 scholarships, each supporting a Black student who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to social justice. This scholarship will support the recipients’ educational journey. Eligibility- Must be a graduating high school/alternative school...

After hearing from our partners that the young people we serve were experiencing zoom fatigue from virtual learning, or had limited internet access, our Program Manger Tiffany Ramos crafted the Creative Activity Kits as a zero-technology solution.  We asked Tiffany some questions about the Creative Activity Kits, and loved hearing their perspective on the initiative!...

Since 2006, ASTEP has worked to harness the power of the arts to help children break the cycles of poverty they were born into. Still, we understand all too well that barriers to access and opportunity don’t cease when one enters adulthood — in fact, for many of our students and colleagues from historically marginalized...

For a third year, ASTEP is honored to select two stellar Volunteer Teaching Artists as recipients of the Jennifer Saltzstein Kaffenberger Fellowship for their work with ASTEP Arts at RYSA 2020 – Gladys Pasapera and Lindsay Roberts! ASTEP provides the arts component of The International Rescue Committee’s Refugee Youth Summer Academy (RYSA), a six-week summer camp, which supports the personal growth, cultural...