Developing artist have help my son in so many ways personally & in the performing arts.
Help developing social skills also learning & experiencing NYC mixed culture, from broadway shows to gatherings.
Im so gratefull my son found developing artist for there is a lack of performing arts in our schools and his talent wont go to waste or unnoticed.
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- EIN 20-2798203
- info@developingartists.org
- 9175127976
- 22 East 30th Street New York NY 10016 USA
- www.developingartists.org
- Facebook page
- datcoNYC
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Theater
Mission: DEVELOPING ARTISTS (DA) teaches and inspires undervalued teens to relentlessly advocate for positive social change through the practical application of the performing arts. We help diverse students to identify themselves as artists and activists, to find their place and their connection within their community, and to bring about positive social change through participation in the arts. We develop artists and their voices through empathy, kindness, and community. DA’s signature innovation is the creation of REBEL VERSES Youth Arts Festival that unites an underserved segment of the theater community; one that celebrates the voice of young artists by inviting the best youth performing arts companies to participate in our annual two week festival.
Results: DA was founded in 1999 with the unified commitment to address youth discrimination. As a result of Artistic Director Jill DeArmon's experiences teaching performing arts in NYC public schools and established studios, she was astonished by the lack of freedom students were given to create and be empowered. Jill witnessed how students were censored rather than uplifted and trusted. While teaching at one of these institutions, she was threatened to either stay and stick to the status quo or be fired. Jill told her class that she was leaving because she could not accept this type of ageism. Every student in that class decided to follow her and the first DA Ensemble was born. In collaboration with the ensemble, Jill offered classes where teens could be heard, and be able to create original work that tackle important social issues. In 2018, DA went from offering full or partial-tuition scholarships for students to offering all classes 100% tuition-free. This shift to totally FREE programs for our students is part of a larger plan to better support and serve those high school students across NYC with our work. We impact students by creating a forum to navigate life's increasing challenges and use their voices to channel that energy into self-expression and self-confidence. Since its founding 25 years ago, DA has directly served over 3,000 students and thousands of audience members. DA fosters a community of diverse artist citizens as we are committed to offer classes that sustain diversity and inclusion. One of DA’s greatest strengths is our ability to help students (many of whom come to us aimless) to develop goals and actionable plans. Participation in our programs has a life-changing long-term impact on the young people we serve – 95% of whom go onto colleges like The Juilliard School, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, New School, Royal Conservatory of Scotland, Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts, Fordham University, Rutgers University, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, AMDA, Elon College and Yale Drama. Our students subsequently utilize their arts training in their careers in a variety of different ways – as professional artists, writers, producers, drama therapists, etc. One such alumnus, Julian Elijah Martinez, made his Broadway debut in NETWORK starring Bryan Cranston and was one of the stars of WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA on Hulu. Another alumna, Jessica Asch - Program Creator and Lead Clinician at Shine MSD, Inc. - became a licensed arts and drama therapist. Her work with at-risk youth has included developing and implementing a creative arts therapy program around collective healing in Parkland, FL, helping the community process loss and trauma due to gun violence. We recognize and believe in the long-term investment required to make a significant impact in the lives of young people. After we help students gain with college admission, we maintain an alumni network and as a result some return to teach with us.
Target demographics: Youth
Direct beneficiaries per year: 100 core company of students, 150 young artists session, hundreds of young audiences members
Geographic areas served: New York City
Programs: Top tier performing arts training & New York's Premiere REBEL VERSES Youth Arts Festival