Program Spotlight: Summer Arts Institute

As we celebrate the start of the school year, we’re looking back on a brilliant summer full of creativity, joy, and community building. In classrooms all around the world, young people were inspired by the power of the arts.

Among these programs, Arts Ignite deepened our work right here in New York City. After several years of amazing impact through the Newcomer Youth Theater Experience, the NYC Department of Educations’ Arts Office invited Arts Ignite to be a cultural partner for their Summer Arts Institute (SAI).

Celebrating its 23rd year in 2025, the Summer Arts Institute (SAI) provides NYC public school students entering grades 8–12 with the chance to dive deeply into their artistic passions during a four-week intensive. Partnering with cultural organizations across the city, the DOE brings in world-class Teaching Artists to lead and inspire students.

This year, Arts Ignite was proud to serve as the arts partner for the High School Acting Studio, led by our Teaching Artist Sigrid at the helm. Sigrid. We caught up with her to hear about her experience:

What did you enjoy most about working with students at the Summer Arts Institute?

“I truly had the best time teaching at this program! My co-teacher and the students were absolutely fantastic, very inspiring and talented. Our class was mainly working towards a studio performance in which every student would showcase a prepared scene and a full group musical number. My favorite days were those watching the students work on these scenes together and working moment-to-moment with them. Each actor was dedicated to exploring all possibilities and discovering their characters in a collaborative way.“

In your words, why is this program important?

“This program is granted to NYC public school students who are already passionate about their art. From day one, it was clear that the students were incredibly inspired by each other and found a new motivation for the art that they love. Finding a new community in NYC with like-minded peers is a life-changing experience, one that I imagine will stick with them forever.“

What changes did you see in the students you worked with?

“I saw a lot of growth in the students from start to finish, and the main thing that sticks out is their ability to work and collaborate with others. Casting the scenes was done in a specific and thoughtful way to help the actors work with people they didn’t know prior. The students also collaborated in groups creating original devised pieces, which helped them grow in a larger group setting.“

This impact truly defines our core values of Creative Capacity, Community, and Courage, and we could not be more proud to be part of such an important program for students right here in New York City. Many thanks to Sigrid for making our mission a reality, and our incredible partners at the Department of Education for giving Arts Ignite this wonderful opportunity.