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 ($44 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).

The Schedule

Art Start is currently recruiting volunteers for our Spring 2013 session, running April 8th – May 23, a total of 7 sessions, with a training during the week of April 1st, 2013.  If you are a musician, singer/songwriter, or audio engineer, there are positions available immediately for qualified candidates for workshops taking place on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday evenings with a ten week commitment at one night per week. Please indicate your interest in your application.

Art Start workshops take place on weeknight evenings, between the hours of 4-8:30pm.  Most workshops are two hours long and the starting time depends on the program.  Winter and Spring 2013 Art Start workshops are located in Lower Manhattan, Bushwick, Brooklyn or Downtown Brooklyn, depending on the program. Workshops include visual arts, music, dance, photography/film, and music recording. Ages range from 5-21.