Arts For All

I had the privilege of joining Arts for All this spring as an intern, and it was a great experience! I learned a lot- shadowing teaching artists in classrooms in ARP and LTA classes, creating crafts for the social media, writing blog posts, and more. I was sad to go when my internship was up and grateful to have found this organization when I did.

Arts For All is truly special. I have seen it from many angles: teaching artist, English teacher, and now board member. It fills a very important space for our children, especially now, when the arts aren't being celebrated as they should. The way Arts For All teaching artists use the arts to boost social, emotional, and educational learning is nothing short of magical!

I was an intern here and got to pop in AFA's administrative meetings as well as step into classrooms with the residency teachers. The staff is truly a team of responsible, organized, and passionate people who work hard to provide much-needed access to the arts within the community. In the classrooms, we have had origami workshops and spatial design projects with grades 2-3; as well as teaching themes of acceptance and resilience through stories and crafts with kindergarteners. The children are always excited for this time.

Arts for All (AFA) holds a special place in my heart because I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the arts in the lives of young people. During my tenure as Director of Therapeutic Recreation at Incarnation Children's Center, I had the privilege of collaborating with AFA, which sent incredibly talented teaching artists to engage our youth and teen residents. Their creative programs provided joy, self-expression, and healing through the arts, leaving a lasting impact on the youth and teens we served.

As a board member of Arts for All, I am honored to support and guide an organization that I deeply believe in. AFA’s commitment to making the arts accessible to all children, regardless of their circumstances, aligns with my passion for using recreation and creativity to foster well-being and growth. It is inspiring to be part of a team that nurtures young minds through artistic exploration, and I am grateful to continue championing AFA’s mission to bring meaningful arts experiences to those who need them most.

Arts for All is one of New York City’s most important arts organizations. Providing NO COST arts programming for New York City schools that have cut funding for arts programs. The money raised by this organization goes toward more programming for in-need students throughout the city - it is truly a worthy cause.

Arts For All is a wonderful organization that helps kids across all 5 boroughs of NYC. All the programs are free of charge to the students and schools, with many programs for bilingual learners (with bilingual teaching artists in the classrooms!). They bring kids to the theater free of charge through the Audience Project. AFA really serves the community and needs your support to continue their excellent work.

Fantastic organization I’ve had the privilege to work with in some capacity over the last 10 years. It’s quite amazing to see the work and community that they have created. Arts education is so importance and needed for our youth, and Arts For All gives that opportunity to needed students.

I have worked for Arts For All as an intern, where I created crafts for the Fun Craft Friday inventory. Additionally, Arts For All allowed me to share my story on how art has impacted me and shaped me as a person. The organization is such a welcoming community.

I absolutely love Arts For All! As a former intern and current member of the fundraising and marketing committee, it has been a pleasure to see all the amazing work they do behind the scenes and in the classroom. The teaching artists are so dedicated to the students they teach. I frequently recommend this non-profit to people interested in learning more!

This fall I planned a Walk-A-Thon to raise money for Arts for All and couldn't have had a better experience. From streamlined emails and quick responses to a very helpful and warm zoom meeting, I could completely feel the support and the kindness that this organization is built upon. I'm excited to work with Arts for All more in this coming year!!

I've been on the Board of Arts For All for nearly ten years now, and have been involved as volunteer and committee member for even longer. I am continuously impressed by the incredible work being done by this organization. Just recently I had the opportunity to volunteer with a group of seventh graders who were able to see their first Broadway show thanks to Arts For All and the Audience Project. It is so great to be able to witness firsthand the impact that Arts For All has on the children they serve. So proud of be a part of this organization!

It was a pleasure to be part of this event with Arts for All. Seeing the joy on the kids' faces during the presentation made me believe this is one of those events that they will remember and be inspired by. Coordination of the event was professional, and both my colleague and I felt like we genuinely were part of something meaningful. Thank you Arts for All!

"Arts for All provided an incredible opportunity for our students to experience live theater with tickets to a historical play, "Suffs." The performance was engaging, educational, and truly brought history to life. Our students not only enjoyed the experience but also learned so much from it. The team at Arts for All was professional, organized, and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend this organization to any educators looking to enrich their students' learning through the arts!"

This is such an incredible program, bringing arts to children in schools. I had the pleasure of visiting this nonprofit several times and seeing the in-school arts classes. The kids were so excited to be in circle time doing music and also doing arts. I loved being part of such an amazing program!

Arts for All is an excellent non-profit dedicated to providing essential arts education to students across New York City. It is run by a small but mighty team who work with a pool of highly-qualified and professional teaching artists to deliver high-quality programming to the students who need it most. Highly recommend!

Great work to bring arts to students who wouldn’t otherwise have access - and great value for money as a donor!

Arts For All is committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the arts. As a student dedicated to helping them, I can say Arts For All is passionate about their cause, and was wonderful to work with. As a non-profit they are not only inspiring, but encourage others to help in their own communities as well.

We absolutely love and recommend working with Arts for All. The administrators are excellent; they are flexible, responsive and professiona. The artists have been fabulous; our students learn something new with each lesson, have tons of fun and produce beautiful works.

Really nonprofit the
Great nonprofit the kids in the New York City School system.

Arts For All is a wonderful organization! They really help the community and bring quality arts programming to all five boroughs of NYC. All the teaching artists are so amazing and great with the kids. I can not recommend this program highly enough. It's so excellent to watch this great non-profit grow from a club at NYU to a full blown program today.

I participated as a volunteer for Arts for All at the children's museum in Brooklyn. A group of 5th graders came to take part in Mae Jemison astronaut experience. The program was fantastic. The children were so focused and engaged and were able to experience other exhibits in the museum. This experience showed me how art is so important and it is necessary to expose children when they are younger to different experiences that enrich their lives. To watch 60 rambunctious children sit still and engage in this program and ask intelligent and thoughtful questions showed much they had learned and why art experiences are important for their future growth.

Arts for all organized an engaging, entertaining and educational event for elementary aged students at the Brooklyn children’s museum. Melissa conducted an interactive session in which the class “went to space”— it was really creative.

Through my internship with Arts For All, I was able to gain hands-on experience working with children in NYC public schools and observing AFA's teaching artists at work, as well as join in on staff meetings and admin work to gain an understanding of the day to day inner workings of a non-profit organization. AFA's staff was incredibly welcoming and generous with their time, as well as completely supportive of my learning goals. Every staff member I had the opportunity to speak to/work with graciously answered all of my questions and completely exemplified the passion for accessible arts education and care for NYC’s youth that I expected from the organization and myself am also passionate about. My time with Arts For All was so beneficial to my own work, and I have to thank AFA for welcoming me so generously, and for inspiring me to continue creating spaces that cultivate community and growth through the arts.

Through my Programming and Marketing Internship at Arts For All, I had the honor of interviewing teaching artists, assisting teaching artists during classroom visits, writing blog posts recapping classroom visits and "Mondays with Mé" episodes, and researching the benefits of arts education on young people. This internship allowed me to not only observe how teaching artists work in a real-world setting, but also to gain my own experience working in an educational setting with children and adolescents ranging from 4 to 17 years of age. The Arts For All team so kindly ensured that my excursions, writing, research, and shadowing enhanced my understanding of arts education and community engagement and elevated my skills in marketing and journalism, as I had expressed interest in these topics from the beginning of the internship. Being able to develop a specific understanding of how a non-profit arts outreach organization operates by doing fulfilling hands-on work was so fruitful. The Arts For All administration is comprised of the most passionate, motivated, and kindhearted individuals who collaborate with understanding, grace, and determination to both increase accessibility to the arts as well as offer people like myself exposure to teaching artistry and community engagement, so that the arts will continue to thrive and reach even more people. I am so thankful to Arts For All for welcoming me into their community and instilling in me a deeper drive to create and share more spaces meant to cultivate the arts and, consequently, the lives that are made more full because of them.

We LOVE Mondays with Me!!! Hands down the highlight of our week: engaging, thoughtful, silly and love the life lessons presented in such a digestible way.

I’ve learned mounds of information by tuning in. Very Diverse and informative programming.

Found this program during pandemic and have been following Monday’s with Mè since. My kids love the content and so do I. I even told my kids teachers about it for classroom use because it’s such a great resource!

We have been working with Arts For All to support our community based weekend programming and they have been terrific! The artists residence have been creative and highly engaging and their communication and professionalism is very appreciated. We hope to have our relationship for a long time to come!

I have been working with Arts For All for four years with different artists.
All of the artists were great at incorporating various forms of art with curriculum content. The artists were always well prepared, knowledgeable and engaging for students. My classes always looked forward to their visits.

Arts for All provides a wonderful educational experience for our youngest students. The teachers artfully weave drama, art, and self expression through literacy. The students are able to express themselves through many creative outlets making connections to real like experiences. Arts for All helps literacy come to life for the students. We are so fortunate to have this program at our school.

This year P.s. 310 was fortunate to work with Arts For All. Our kindergarten children worked with an artist on creating piñatas for our Multicultural Day.
Their projects were creative, colorful, and unique. The artist made their experience a great introduction to art appreciation!!

I had the opportunity to intern at Arts For All for the past few weeks, and the passion that each and every staff member shared for this cause was exceptionally inspiring to see. I got to speak with several of the talented teaching artists and also actually sit in on many classes, and I can truly say that they are all committed to spreading joy to children all across NYC and are successfully doing so. Seeing students light up as they worked on new art projects was such a pleasure to experience. The staff is incredibly kind and hardworking, and I highly recommend becoming involved with this wonderful organization. The work being done here is so important, and I am so grateful and privileged to have been a part of it.

Arts For All continues to be committed to bringing excellent arts programming to children’s all over NYC. The staff works tirelessly to ensure the programs are quality and the teaching artists have the resources needed. They have gone above and beyond the past year to make accommodations due to the Pandemic with incredible video lessons being sent out to schools and organizations. Thank you for all you do! Highly recommend!

Arts For All doesn't let anything stand in the way of their mission as they adjusted and found ways to continue to deliver to the children of NYC and beyond throughout the pandemic.

I have been amazed by Arts for All's commitment to bringing the arts to children who may not otherwise have access, since I first became involved in 2013. During the pandemic, they have demonstrated themselves the resilience and creativity that they inspire in children, creating accessible programming virtually. Their work is so important!

I am so impressed with the work of Arts For All . As someone in a similar field of non-profit, and in seeing how arts and creativity have impacted my own daughter and son, it is so wonderful to see an organization that makes such a critical reach to youth in New York City. Arts For All approaches each program in a caring, mind-engaging and creative way that allow youth to express themselves and grow through a healthy outlet. During the pandemic my family loved participating in Mondays with Me and programs such as the AFA Literacy Through the Arts Program are life changing.

Arts for All is dedicated to bringing all kinds of high-quality arts experiences to NYC school children who might not otherwise have the opportunities to see live theatre, dance and music, or make art, sing, dance and act with professional artists. I have worked for many years on the receiving end of these experiences from Arts for All, in a small, extremely diverse school in Jackson Heights, Queens. Our students have benefited, even during the pandemic, from working with skilled artists, musicians, dancers, poets and actors through virtual means. This year we are open, of course, and I am hopeful that we will again have arts experiences for all of our classrooms, and Arts for All is a key participant in that goal. I am always impressed that they can work within the needs of our school; responding to our teachers' sometimes highly specific requests, to provide arts programs for the length of time, age groups and artistic disciplines that will highlight particular curricular content. The organization is a joy to work with.

This nonprofit organization has supplied the arts to students that were not able to do so. Musicians, actors, artists and visits to museums are just a few examples of what Arts for All has been able to accomplish. Even in this time of pandemic virtually they have been able to do this. I am proud of what this organization has been able to present over the years to these students

Arts for All provides great artistic opportunities for students that might not be available otherwise. Highly recommend their programs.

Arts for All is dedicated to bringing all kinds of high-quality arts experiences to NYC school children who might not otherwise have the opportunities to see live theatre, dance and music, or make art, sing, dance and act with professional artists. I have worked for many years on the receiving end of these experiences from Arts for All, in a small, extremely diverse school in Jackson Heights, Queens. Our students have benefited, even during the pandemic, from working with skilled artists, musicians, dancers, poets and actors through virtual means. I am always impressed that they can work within the needs of our school; responding to our teachers' sometimes highly specific requests, to provide arts programs for the length of time, age groups and artistic disciplines that will highlight particular curricular content. The organization is a joy to work with.

Arts for All is one of my favorite NYC non-profits. They have continued to do virtual arts programs throughout the pandemic and it is great to see that students are able to stay connected with their favorite teaching artists. Arts for All has always put on wonderful programming for NYC youth and I hope that soon they can be in full force again once it is safe to do so. I have volunteered with Arts for All for over 10 years and I am looking forward to once again bringing students to museums and helping organize performances and in-class programs for the city's most in need schools.

Arts For All is paving the way for schools to continue their arts programming through the pandemic and after!

Arts For All is great. It brings arts to kids in all five boroughs of New York City - visual arts, film, theater, dance, music. So inspiring!

Arts for all is a fantastic non-profit. They do great work in underserved communities exposing kids to literature, music and theater in creative ways that the kids always love. If you have the opportunity invite them to your school or community center. You will not regret it!

Arts For All and I have been partners for several years now. I can't begin to express the importance of the work this New York City-based organization to serve schoolchildren with the finest arts programming its dedicated and talented teachers and artists can create. AFA's vision, dedication, and sheer joy and love for its mission makes it special and essential. Thank you, Arts For All, for the pleasure of working together on great programs for kids.

As a volunteer, I've seen firsthand the impact of the programming Arts For All offers on the kids of NYC. In the short term, the biggest smile and long term, more skills and traits they can use the rest of their life.

The staff at AFA does this because they care and that is what makes them so special!

I joined Arts For All's Operations Committee a year ago and have been impressed with the organization's dedication to its mission and fantastic staff. Arts For All enables children across NYC to have the opportunity to experience the arts, from acting to painting. Keep up the great work!

Arts for All has been a great asset to PS 163. They have provided students with an engaging and an enriching curriculum. The teaching artist are very knowledgeable about work well with all students.

I loved working as a volunteer artist and for Arts For All. I was assigned several New York City schools who desperately needed arts programming and hands-on learning. AFA was the best partner in vetting, identifying, and working with underprivileged schools and teachers -- and I felt extremely well supported in these environments, and know the kids especially benefited from this programming.

This is a non profit that doesn't spend millions on galas and gifts for their donors -- they streamline everything into delivering amazing projects to the schools and ACTUALLY reach the kids that need it the most. We have done so many different things -- painting, acting, music, comedy improv and dramatic readings of shakespeare, dancing in gyms, and we all clamour to join each other's projects and workshops.

I've taught everywhere from a elementary school in the Bronx to the furthest lengths of Queens, and you can tell the impact it has on the students immediately. I love going to a school that knows who we are -- many schools have us back time and again, they all know or have had other working artists for Arts for All -- and are thrilled to have us there.

Arts for all provides engaging, inspiring, and essential arts programming for students who would otherwise have none in their week. It is run by an exceptional staff who have the growth and well-being of the child at the forefront of everything they do.

Anyone trying to decide what nonprofit to support would do very well by volunteering or donating to this exceptional company.

Arts For All is a great program that helps kids all over New York City. What an amazing company and dedicated staff.

Arts For All provides free arts programming to children in the NYC area who might not otherwise have opportunities to explore the arts. The arts can be an important tool for personal development and most often it is arts programming that gets cuts from the budget in NYC schools.
I have supported this organization for many years and believe strongly in their mission and their work. Arts For All is extremely well run and is providing necessary opportunities for personal development through the arts to many NYC children.

Volunteering with Arts For All is ALWAYS a fun experience. To be surrounded by other people who care so much about the cause and are happy to take big and little steps toward a significant impact is inspiring. Arts For All is a small nonprofit with a huge heart.

Arts For All is a brilliant organization. It services so many kids that would not have arts education otherwise. They has a great focus on student collaboration and creation. The people who run this nonprofit have an immense care of young people and their access to the arts. It's a wonderful place.

Arts for All is my favorite non-profit organization. They provide amazing artistic opportunities for children in need in a variety of artistic disciplines. AFA brings joy and laughter, as well as exposure to the arts, to so many children across the NYC area!

Fantastic organization to be a part of. Incredible program for kids who are faced with various difficulties, including physical and emotional. Talented teachers and volunteers, and great group of people all around.

I began at Arts For All as a volunteer in 2010, helping to teach art to children in Brooklyn Hospital. Later, I served as Development Director for a few years. Currently, I volunteer on the Fundraising Committee.
I believe strongly in the work that Arts For All is accomplishing. They are providing a vital outlet for creative expression and personal development through the arts for many children in New York City who otherwise would have very little access to this sort of programming. The staff and faculty at Arts For All are extremely dedicated to the work they do and the majority of funds at this organization go straight to the programs. I can't recommend Arts For All highly enough. Donate now. You won't regret it!

Arts for All is phenomenal organization that serves many children in NYC who may not otherwise have access to the amazing opportunities that arts education provides. I interned with the organization in Spring 2016 and had a transformative experience. I was placed with two teaching artists and for one day each week with each of them, I assisted in the classroom programming for Arts for All. The children were in 1st and 2nd grade. It was so rewarding to watch their progress over just a few months and to witness first hand the incredible impact that the arts can have on young people. I am continuing my involvement with the organization now as a volunteer on the fundraising committee. As an artist myself, I wholeheartedly believe in the power of the arts to transform lives, and this organization is an important piece in making that happen for NYC's public school youth.

Something I really appreciate about Arts For All is that everyone who works there or volunteers for them truly actually care about the kids. It's those kinds of people who can help make the biggest difference!

I was welcomed into the AFA family this year and have become involved in their Fundraising Committee. They work tirelessly to spread their reach to as many children as possible through theatre. They offer opportunities to see performances and take classes that many of these children didn't even realize existed. They are inspiring the next generation of Performers with their self-less gift of theatre.

I have had the privilege to work for Arts for All in the past--to see the workings that go into creating this precious, important opportunities, and be there in person to see the benefits children reap from AFA programs. Not only that, but the passionate and giving people who bring their talents and open hearts to the organization to serve as Teaching Artists...wow. Arts For All is an incredible non-profit, bringing one of the most sincere and hardworking teams together to change lives in the NYC area. And I feel lucky to have been able to be a part of it!

Arts for All is a great organization. They are always looking for ways to deliver the services for kids in NYC. I had the privilege of working with them many times.

Arts For All's work has helped to support high quality arts programming in schools that are greatly in need. The work of their amazing staff and teaching artists has contributed to enhanced social emotional competencies for both general education and special education students. As Arts For All grows to help support more schools, additional students will receive the high quality arts education they so greatly deserve.

I'm incredibly grateful for Arts for All and everything this wonderful organization provides for in-need children all over the NYC area. They provide excellent artistic opportunities to over 3,500 children a year with their dedication, commitment, and giving spirit. I have personally seen the smiles, laughter, and educational growth at each event, classroom, workshop, and field trip where I have volunteered. The people who work and volunteer for this organization are extremely professional and believe in the mission and vision of Arts for All. If you get a chance to be involved with Arts for All, it will truly change your heart.

I just began working with Arts For All. However, they have already impressed me with their extreme professionalism and devotion to the important work that they do. Considering arts funding is becoming less important in schools budgets, Arts For All provides a necessary tool for fostering children's intellectual development. They truly put their all into creating a better future for our children.

I just started volunteering with Arts for All and have had a wonderful experience! They are so supportive of their teachers and are incredibly well organized with administrative matters. I'm always impressed by the care they put into their programs, and it shows in the fun that the kids have when taking part! So excited to keep working with them and learning more about their programs.

I interned for Arts For All this past summer and have been a volunteer for the past two years. The organization has always been incredibly professional and dedicated to their mission. I look forward to continuing to help out and provide as many children in New York with an arts education as possible!

Volunteering with Arts For All has been an amazing experience, their staff is dedicated and very professional. Their commitment to their mission is apparent and they truly work each year to reach more and more children. As arts funding is rapidly disappearing from our schools, now more than ever, the programs AFA provides are necessary. AFA’s programs successfully reveal the crucial role that art plays in education and the benefits that it has on these students.

As a volunteer for Arts for All for the past year, I've always been impressed with the organization's dedication to providing children without the resources to be involved with the arts with a great outlet of artistic opportunities. During events, the children always have a blast, as do the volunteers! Keep up the fantastic work, Arts for All!

What an inspiring organization! I have been volunteering with Arts for All since 2008 and have been blessed to see first hand the wonderful impact that this nonprofit has had on the community. For example, schools with no arts funding have received classes and children with limited means have been exposed to theatre, visual arts, and more. Additionally, as a member of the programming committee and the fundraising committee, I've had hands on experience working with passionate, dedicated indivuduals who really care about extending arts programming to in-need children. I have been blown away by the devotion of all of the volunteers on the Arts for All team. As a former teaching artist and performer, I am connected to the idea of providing arts education to the future generation and Arts for All is committed to providing this service.

Arts for All provides amazing experiences for kids who might not otherwise have exposure to the arts and humanities. As a donor I know that these experiences can be life- changing and can offer inspiration and hope to kids in the program. It is food for growth of a different kind and gives them an opportunity to imagine themselves as able to do or be anything!

I am so grateful I found Arts for All. They are one of my favorite companies I'm involved with in the city. AFA cares so much about their artists, the core message of empowerment through the arts that each of us tries to bring to our workshops, and the growing youth they serve.

Anna Roberts Ostroff and her team work ridiculously long hours and dedicate 150% of their energy to the flourishing of AFA programs and of everyone involved.

I'm so proud to be involved with AFA! Let them become one of your favorite bragging rights too and get involved! Together we can all make a difference.

Arts for All serves over 3000 children in the New York City area with programs that are fun, creative and inspiring. I have seen first hand what a big difference they have in schools with little to no programming. It's amazing what can happen when a child has a place to channel their creativity. Arts for All is on the front lines. It's awesome.

I helped out with the organization for a Halloween crafts table and the kids really enjoyed it. The most special thing you can do is involve yourself with people who get together to make a difference for others and Arts for All really does that. It's such a blessing to have been able to help out for so many kids who just need to know that they are loved and that they can do anything they want in their lives. Arts for all is a great organization and I recommend them to anyone who wants to volunteer.

Arts For All is such an inspiring organization. I have been a volunteer for several years and keep coming back because I truely believe they make a huge difference in so many childrens' lives. I was involved in a performance at one of their fundraising events last year. Several schools were bussed in to see the play and after, as they were leaving, I heard one little boy say "This is the best day of my life! I'm going to remember this forever!" Arts For All believes that if you change one child's life, it was worth it, but I can attest that thousands of children have been changed by the tireless efforts of Arts For All. I was particularly impressed by how Arts For All never gives up. Their most recent children's theater tour which brought plays to many children throughout NYC who had never experienced theater before Arts For All, was cancelled for a week due to hurricane Sandy. Within a few days, because of many many phone calls and much perseverance, all the show days had been rescheduled so that none of the children would miss out on the performance. I know that the sound of hundreds of children laughing will always be for me what Arts For All is about. Arts for All's work in the community is truely inspiring and absolutely deserves the title of a "great nonprofit".

I've been involved with AFA for a number of years. I've seen them grow from a small group of highly enthusiastic volunteers to a well organized foundation that is having quite an impact on those students whose schools do not have access to arts programming. Growing up in a public school system with extensive access to the arts, I know how important it was to my development as a student and an artist. I've been a part of fund raising events, taught workshops and participated in live performances for AFA. Their passion for their work and dedication to their mission is unequaled in this field and they have significantly touched the lives of so many students.

Arts for All is wonderful! I helped start it up back in 2003, and later became a teacher. An Arts for All artist came to my classroom to lead my ninth graders in a Shakespeare Workshop when we were reading "Romeo and Juliet." I was able to see the organization from the viewpoint of someone receiving the service instead of someone providing the service for the first time, and I realized that Arts for All is an even greater organization than I had thought. It provides much-needed arts programming to youth communities who need it most, often incorporating what the kids are learning in school in subjects from English to math and everything in between. As someone who has seen the work Arts for All does from both the inside and the outside, I cannot speak highly enough of this organization.

I have been volunteering with Arts for All since 2006. As a busy professional actor and educator, I appreciate that AFA makes it easy for me volunteer, providing flexible opportunities and communicating clearly regarding logistics and programming. AFA provides free arts and arts education to nyc communities who would often otherwise have none, promoting creativity, healthy self-expression, and supportive learning environments. The value of their work is written on the faces of children making masks at the community Halloween party, and the school students sitting in attendance at the play touring to their auditorium. It's been a pleasure to volunteer with AFA, running craft tables at events, acting in plays or working behind the scenes on programming.

I currently Intern with Arts For All, and I have been enjoying my time here with the organization. With just a small administrative board, the organization manages to reach thousands of children across New York City while maintaining a highly organized company. I am truly learning what it takes to run an efficient and successful non-profit during my time here with Arts For All. Something that is also essential to the success of this non-profit is the personal investment and commitment to their mission of spreading the arts and giving all children the opportunity to experience and learn through the medium of various arts. Arts For All is an exemplary organization and will continue to grow as their work continues to be seen as necessary in the community.

I've been volunteering with the Board of Directors of Arts For All for 6 months. The two elements which have impressed me most about the organization (aside from their mission, which I am passionate about), are the passion with which the staff and volunteers work to increase the number of young people who can benefit from opportunities in all types of art forms, and the approach of the Board of Directors. They are clearly incredibly committed to the mission and vision of Arts For All, are open and honest in their consideration of the challenges the organization faces and how these might best be met, as well as in reflecting on their own strengths and areas for development, and those of Arts For All. For an organization of this size, budget and maturity, Arts For All, it's Board of Directors, and it's management have far exceeded my expectations and I will continue to give my time to further the mission and vision, as I know it will have maximum impact.

Arts For All has changed my life. The work that Arts For All does is so amazing and fulfilling . I love knowing that we are helping kids express themselves in ways that they would not have the opportunity to otherwise. Each year, I put on a play with kids who have never been onstage before. It's so cool to watch them gain confidence as they rehearse and how excited they are to perform for the first time. Arts For All helps kids all over New York City, but it also impacts me in ways I never expected. It's the best!

The beautiful thing about my experience with Arts For All is that in a city like New York and with the everyday grind of being an actor/performer we don't really get that many chances to use our gifts or talents to give back, but Arts For All gives us the platform to do just that. I remember my first time volunteering at The Covenant House reading, playing games and bringing fun songs and music to the toddlers with another volunteer and how amazing it felt to see how much these little children would find joy the minute we walked in and wanted so much for us not to leave. You never know how powerful the expression of Art is in changing someone's life for the better, but Arts For All gives us as artists the opportunities to affect people in a lasting and beautiful way. I find that we all can get a little lost in our everyday happenings but when you take that time to share who you are and give a little back, it brings a wonderful clarity and focus back into my life. So as long as Arts For All continues to give me that chance I will always be thankful and joyous to give all I can to their purpose!

Upon moving back to New York City several years ago, I knew I wanted to work with children through the arts. After meeting with the Executive Director of Arts for All I was excited to go out into the field and use my skills to help grow this wonderful organization. Initially I thought I'd only want to teach and volunteer for a certain age group and discipline. It wasn't long before I began signing up for every possible workshop! Not only are the experiences with Arts for All rewarding, but the other artists and volunteers are some of the most talented and fascinating people I've ever met or worked with. Everyone who works with this organization truly has a passion for bringing the arts to kids in need. My volunteer work with AFA is very important to me. I am thankful to give back to my community and enable children to have a glimpse of the confidence and joy the arts bring. I have worked countless hours at our Barnes and Noble fundraisers, flyering, painting faces, singing to kids, making puppets and masks, and reading books. Why? Because Arts for All is worth all the effort I can possibly give. I simply cannot say no to such a great cause and to a staff who is kind and generous. As a teaching artist, I am constantly challenged and encouraged. When I am leading music with our Literacy Through the Arts Program(along with my hot pink guitar, there is no greater reward than to see the happiness on those smiling faces! I promote AFA every chance I get, and proudly tell everyone around me about the work I do! My hope is that this company and others like it will be able to continue to grow in a time where its mission is more important than ever! Arts for All!

My favorite aspect of Arts for All is their programs instill a confident sense of self, imagination and exploration to children who might not ever be given a chance to explore these traits. Arts for All plays an important role to the futures of many, including the collective future for all of us. I will never forget when I showed up at 'A Day at the Met' to give my tour. The lobby was buzzing with kids from all ages, quite a few in wheel chairs. The younger ones were excited while the teenagers, at first played, Too Cool for School. It was the most rewarding experience to see the teenagers transform from "I could care less" to "I couldn't care more!" By the end of the day they were fighting for my attention with each piece of art we walked by so they could tell me what they saw in art and how they related it to their own world. It is these types of experiences Arts for All brings to in need cn a daily basis. I know I am not the same after that day and I suspect either are the kids who attended.

I have only been volunteering with Arts for All for a short time, but I very much admire and appreciate the passion this organization has for providing arts programming to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity. Arts for All is run by caring and compassionate individuals who give endless support to their volunteers in the field. I am proud to be a part of this organization and I hope to see them grow so that they can build upon the great work they are already doing.

Arts for All is such a wonderful organization! Everyone who works for Arts for All is so positive and exciting to work with. They have such a passion for what they do and care so much about the kids. It is so wonderful to see how much music and drama touch the lives of these children through Arts for All. What a gift!

About 7 years ago, I was dispatched by Arts for All to the Incarnation Children's Center to perform a Disney concert for HIV positive kids - especially one who had a birthday that day. The birthday boy was so excited - he grabbed my microphone at one point and started singing himself. About five years ago, I taught a Shakespeare workshop to a group of kids at the Polo Grounds community center in Harlem. Their first exposure to the bard yielded an amazing thing - they all memorized the line , "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this Son of York." A little girl gave one of the most convincing readings of the line I've ever heard. At PS 14 in Harlem, the principal was so enthusiastic about his third-graders performing the first scene from Hamlet that he agreed to play the ghost in the scene. The kids loved it! These are just a few of my favorite memories from teaching AFA workshops, and some of the reasons why I now work so hard on the board of AFA - kids need us to expose them to theater, and to all art!!!

My organization has been working with Arts For All for the past 5 years and it has been a wonderful experience. They are very organized and come well prepared for both small group activities and large events.

Arts For All has been a partnering organization to my non-profit for the past several years. I'm extremely impressed with their level of expertise, talent and dedication to the children they serve. By partnering with Arts for All, I completely trust that programs will be conducted professionally, and with the same passion we have for bettering the lives of children. Arts For All is making a significant difference in the NYC community.

Arts For All is an outstanding program. As a teacher in a public school, I worked with the Artists planning curriculum and implementing it in my classroom. This enhanced my students' learning in Literacy. We implemented drama, music, and movement to help the students enjoy literacy and they all ask when is the artist coming back? The director and artist always are helpful in adding to our school curriculum in creative ways! It is an enjoyable experience and very beneficial to my students' growth!

As principal of PS 15 our primary students have been actively engaged with the teaching artists of Arts for All. This is the fourth year we have participated. The teaching artists are excellent. They plan together with the teachers. Our focus has been literacy and the arts. The executive director is organized and truly reaches out to us to meet the needs of our students and programs. Arts for All in an integral participant in developing our overall scope and sequence in the arts.

Arts For All is a wonderful organization that brings Arts and Arts Programming to children in need. My involvement with AFA has been as a Teaching Artist. I am helping to develop a hands-on Shakespeare workshop for kids in need, in Chicago. AFA has traditionally worked primarily with kids in NYC, but with my program has decided to branch out to Chicago. What I am most impressed about is the absolute and total dedication. The staff's Number One goal is that children have a wonderful, artistic program, no matter what. Everything is about SERVING the kids; and while working on a shoestring, AFA DOES IT. AFA provides thousands of in-need children theatre, music, visual arts workshops, and ticket programs, reaching children who would otherwise go without. If Art feeds the soul, then AFA is the soul's Food Bank.

Arts for All is a wonderful organization, started by young artists committed to bringing arts to underserved public school students in New York City. As the arts coordinator for a K-12 public school in Jackson Heights, Queens, I appreciate the willingness to work with us on every step of our partnership--they never come in with pre-conceived ideas and are always willing to create opportunities that work for our student population. We have never been disappointed with their participation.

This non-profit is assertively generous, supportive, and organized. Their support of different arts programs, both on and off-site, have served to grow our arts program by leaps and bounds. They have offered us funding for home-grown productions and support staff for such (including voice teachers, set designers) and always have us in mind when a group of free tickets are available to shows in Manhattan. I cannot imagine our arts program without the support of Arts for All, Inc.

Arts For All is a altruistic driven organization aimed at helping deliver art programs to those less fortunate in the NYC area. Never before have I been involved in an organization that followed through as much as AFA. If you're looking to make a difference in the community, AFA is an organization that does just that and more.

Arts for All is a small but incredibly effective arts outreach organization. I have volunteered at many AFA events and have also worked as a teaching artist with the organization. I am always impressed with the breadth of their efforts, promoting the arts in all five boroughs of NYC. I have always been treated with respect, and found the organization to be organized and communicative. I am grateful for the many opportunities they have given me to affect lives through art.

Great non profit!!! I have been envolved with Arts for All (AFA) for the past 4 years and have enjoyed each and every volunteering opportunity here. Combining two very strong services, Arts and Community outreach, AFA provides an invaluable service to children in the greater new york metro area by providing them means to a dying service.

It's all about the eyes. The reward is watching the myriad of expressions flash across their faces: surprise, pride, wonderment, pure joy, and the moment of finally understanding. As a volunteer, my favorite memory was helping a group of handicapped students tour the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the first time. The Arts for All leader's talent for facilitating, both visually and emotionally what the paintings and sculptures were attempting to express, proved that art does speak to the soul. Arts for All, Inc. mission is to start a conversation with every student in the city.

My experience with Arts for All has been a wonderfully enriching endeavor. The passion and energy that this group of people brings to the table is astounding. All volunteers are treated with respect, kindness and gratitude. Most of the people involved with Arts for All are volunteers, so to have that kind of positive energy from people squeezing this into their busy NYC lives is truly unique. I also greatly respect the work that is being done by the organization. Since I've taught some of the workshops in the schools and centers that Arts for All services, I've seen first hand the positive effects of bringing arts programming to these locations. The kids are always excited to see us and anxious to get to do something different and fun. Giving the kids something to look forward to that's fun and exciting as well as informative is very important. Hearing it from a different source that their regular teachers might also bring an additional perspective to their learning day. I'm extremely proud to be a part of Arts for All and hope that they continue to grow!