ProjectArt, an award winning arts education non-profit, celebrated its efforts with a gala held at Interface in New York City last week. Bringing together over 180 attendees and supporters including those from Christie’s, Artsy, Sotheby’s, and Goldman Sachs, raised over $60,000 for the initiative. On display were 45 collaborative canvases from ProjectArt Everywhere, an initiative that gives paintbrushes to hundreds of New Yorkers to allow them to express themselves on canvases.
“Regardless if it’s our first finger painting or the application of color pencils to a trendy coloring book for grown-ups, everyone has a creative and artistic side,” said ProjectArt’s founder Adarsh Alphons. The company aims to not only encourage artistic expression, but to also provide more opportunities. For over four years and with 22 locations, ProjectArt has given students opportunities to express themselves through art. Their goal is to change the way arts education is valued especially in underserved communities. ProjectArt has taken action by partnering with public libraries to host classes and events for youth ages 4-17 in 20 branches across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan. They have also provided opportunities for children to create and display their art in galleries.