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School Engagement in the Arts

Samara joy talks to students

Why 92NY?

We’ll give you 150 reasons.

For 150 years, 92NY has been a catalyst for the arts, nurturing and inspiring generations of students.

92NY’s arts education initiatives extend far beyond our doors. We believe that access to high-quality arts education is a right, not a privilege. For more than three decades, 92NY has been a key provider of the highest quality arts education to New York City’s public schools through 92NY School Engagement in the Arts (School Engagement).

In 1988, Maya Angelou met with a group of NYC public school students at 92NY before she gave a reading, thereby launching a literary program that now serves 1,000 students each year. Today, School Engagement transforms young lives through the arts by creating in-depth programs, performances and talks for thousands of K-12 students and their teachers in New York City public schools — and now nationwide through various online offerings.

Through sustained engagement with school communities, we connect students with celebrated artists and thought leaders from around the world via in-school residencies, in-person experiences at 92NY, and internship programs designed to help young people explore careers in the creative industries.

Past 92NY Participating Artists include:

What we provide school partners

  • Expert teaching artists dedicated to creating warm, nurturing learning environments
  • Unforgettable live performances tailored for school-age audiences in 92NY’s historic 900-seat concert hall
  • High quality original curriculum materials aligned with the NYC DOE Arts Blueprints
  • Professional development workshops for partnering classroom teachers
  • Financial assistance for partnering schools unable to pay for our programs at cost

How We Do It

  • 92NY School Engagement in the Arts collaborates with partnering schools to meet the individual needs of that school community.

    Before your 92NY program begins:

    • 92NY leads Curriculum Development workshops for partnering classroom teachers which introduce our featured artists and teaching artists, establish shared program goals, and explore associated educational resources.
    • 92NY Teaching Artist and classroom teacher(s) meet to discuss the program goals and student interests.

    During your 92NY program:

    • Students attend live 92NY arts event(s) related to the classroom curriculum.
    • 92NY staff are always available for check-ins.
    • Students engage in generative art-making activities with their 92NY Teaching Artist(s).

    After your 92NY program:

    • Partnering teachers share reflections on program successes and challenges, share their feedback, and help us improve our programs (compensated).
  • Geoff Nutall coaching music students at Edward R. Murrow High School
    Geoff Nutall of the St Lawrence String Quartet coaching music students at Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn

Learn more about the Teaching Arts and Staff that make these programs possible.

Our Reach

Every year, 92NY School Engagement in the Arts’s programs reach

  • 10,000+ students and teachers
    100+ public schools
    200+ classrooms

    in all five boroughs and beyond!

  • Students at a Discover Music performance in 92NY’s Kaufmann Concert Hall
    Students at a Discover Music performance in 92NY’s Kaufmann Concert Hall

Pedagogy

  • School Engagement believes that learning should be hands-on, inquiry-based and fun! We believe in a developmental approach that builds on students’ inherent strengths and interests at different stages of their growth. In all our programs, we strive to help students develop higher-level thinking skills as they engage with inspiring works of art and artists, as well as thought-leaders from around the world. We aim to help children grasp ideas in a transferable way, taking what they learn in class and applying it across domains.

    Our first principles of good teaching include engaging students’ prior knowledge, staying true to who we are as artists in our teaching, and encouraging classroom teachers to bring their own background and expertise to the work at hand.

  • Vocal students at the Theatre Arts Production Company School
    Vocal students at the Theatre Arts Production Company School during a classroom workshop

Our Commitment to Diversity

School Engagement values, promotes, and exemplifies diversity and inclusion in order to enrich our understanding of each other and our world. We pursue these values in a variety of ways:

  • Staff diversity: Teaching artists represent a wide range of diverse backgrounds and identities (gender, race, culture, language, immigration and economic background, among more), reflecting the identities of the children they teach in our public schools across the five boroughs.
  • Building leadership: We nurture the talent of children and young adults at public schools across NYC, helping them grow as leaders both at 92NY and in the arts at large, and diversifying the representation of artists and arts administrators across community leadership.
  • Global, multi-perspective: We share cultures from around the world through exceptional art and art-making practices.
  • Integrated and interdisciplinary: Our original curricula across the performing, visual, and literary arts include points of entry for all learning styles, sensory needs, and perspectives, and often align seamlessly with other subjects of study.

Here is what teachers are saying about School Engagement

“We worked with Dorrance Dance. The children were mesmerized. I kept saying, ‘This is like working with LeBron James on a basketball clinic.’ Parents couldn’t believe their children had this opportunity. I explained the virtual Young Leaders Series program to them — they were astounded. It was a wonderful, wonderful experience.”

Cynthia Waddell, Dance Teacher, Stone Academy of Communication Arts (Greenville, South Carolina)

“92NY’s Young Leaders Series has helped raise students’ engagement, foster their sense of curiosity and wonderment about the different genres of music, and improve overall attendance.”

Greta Hawkins, Principal, P.S. 90 (Brooklyn, NY)

“[Our 92NY School Engagement Teaching Artist] was SO FABULOUS. My students and I already miss her. She was so engaging, wonderfully prepared and knowledgeable during each visit. She was fun and patient as well as supportive, considering all of the varied learning styles and language barriers that exist in my class. My class and I feel so fortunate to be a part of this experience and this program.”

Classroom Teacher, P.S. 16 (Queens, NY)

“The 92NY in-person trip was an amazing experience. From the security guards to the lady who checked our class in just before being led into the theater, it was a pleasant and smooth experience for all our kids. Furthermore … your carefully designed interactive books to on-site integrated teaching of dance, songs, and musical instruments were just top-notch.”

Jin Rhee, Classroom Teacher, P.S. 114 (The Bronx, NY)

“The 92NY performance was an amazing experience. It definitely surpassed my expectations. The performers and musicians worked seamlessly together and captured and maintained our attention from start to finish with their infectious energy and well-crafted moves.”

Rajihah Coaxum, Classroom Teacher, CPE II (East Harlem, NY)

“The memories created on that stage will undoubtedly stay with our students for years to come, fostering a deep appreciation for the arts and nurturing their creative spirits...we cannot thank you enough for your unwavering support. Once again, thank you for your kindness and generosity in making this event possible. We look forward to future collaborations and opportunities to continue inspiring our students together. With appreciation, PS114.”

Justina Roberts, PS114x Classroom Teacher

Contact Us

To learn more about 92NY’s School Engagement in the Arts, contact:

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