ART START connects New York City’s artists with at-risk children to make masterpieces.  In 20 years, ART START’s nationally recognized model of arts-education has been powered over 1,000 volunteer artists in NYC.

Volunteering for ART START is more then just community service — it’s life enhancing for all involved. Paired up with young people whose dreams far surpass their immediate circumstances, artwork is just one of the magical results. Your ideas, your time, your expertise and your willingness to make a relationship with a child or a teen, even if just for one night a week, will open up their minds to seeking opportunity and plowing towards their goals — not to mention how it will open you up as an artist and creative mind.

The Commitment
ART START volunteers have many ways to contribute to our mission, but the main one is to be a Workshop Volunteer in any of our three programs, which requires of you to:

1: Commit to a full “session”, one night per week, with no more than TWO absences.

2: Have a background or interest in the arts and a willingness to help lead a project based on your interests.

3: Have experience working with groups of children or teens, either in a classroom setting, summer camp, daycare, or large family.

4: Have a positive, open mind, and believe that anything is possible with vision and commitment.

5: Attend a one-on-one interview, undergo a federal sex offender background check ($25 at the cost of the volunteer), and undergo a volunteer artist orientation for 2-3 hours on your designated volunteer weeknight during the week directly preceding the start date of your session (see below Schedule).

Schedule
ART START is currently recruiting volunteers for our Spring 2012 session that runs April 2-June 21, a total of 12 sessions, with orientations taking place the week of March 26th, 2012.

Most ART START workshops take place on weeknight evenings, between the hours of 6-8:30pm, depending on the location you are placed. There are also workshops taking place during the week from 4-5:30pm. ART START workshops are located in Lower Manhattan, the Lower East Side, the South Bronx and Downtown Brooklyn. Workshops range in theme from visual arts to music to theater to music recording. Ages range from 5-21.

If you would like to apply, but your Spring is too busy, check out our future sessions:

2012 Sessions:

Summer: July 2, 2012 – September 6, 2012 (12 workshops total)

Fall: September 17 – December 20, 2012 (15 workshops total)