The challenge

An arts education allows girls to exercise their imaginations, to express their creative identities, and ultimately to transform the fruits of their imaginations into life-altering innovations for their local communities. Tragically, many girls living in marginalized communities in the U.S. rarely have the opportunity to expand their understanding of and appreciation for the arts. Local schools simply do not have the staff or resources to provide anything but the most basic education.

The solutions we're proposing 

W4’s field project, Time In, is dedicated to breaking down these barriers in New York’s most impoverished neighborhoods. Its Artists-in-Residence are specialized in an innovative teaching methodology. Through hands-on art workshops, Artists-in-Residence engage, instruct and inspire their young pupils. Three of these dedicated teaching artists are assigned to each group of 25 children, providing both artistic and emotional support for vulnerable girls.

The impact of giving

Open up the enriching world of the arts to New York’s impoverished girls by helping to bring in professional artists to mentor and educate them. Encouraging the girls to set their sights high, Artists-in-Residence teach them to apply their creative talents, education and cultural awareness to empower themselves and their communities from the inside out.