Since inception, Free Arts NYC has provided high-quality arts programming for youth in underserved communities, with 1:1 mentorship as a core pillar of our mission. Rooted in the heart of NYC’s vibrant creative community, we are propelled forward by a dynamic network of creatives who share our passion.
Students join our programs through over 30 partnerships held with schools, community centers, and NYC’s Department of Homeless Services throughout the five boroughs. We strive to level the playing field by creating access, opportunities, and equity for the next generation.
Core Values
RESPECT is fundamental to our community. We celebrate each person's unique background and perspective, honor boundaries, and create a space where everyone can thrive.
INNOVATION is at the heart of what we do. By staying curious and embracing new possibilities, we find creative ways to keep our programs vibrant and impactful.
COLLABORATION is the cornerstone of our success. By prioritizing equity and valuing every voice, we turn shared vision into real impact.
EMPOWERMENT drives us. We foster leadership, trust, and autonomy by providing young people with the confidence, tools, and support to unlock their potential.
DEIAB Statement
Free Arts NYC is committed to building equity within the arts and creative professions, and we recognize that oppression and discrimination have resulted in ongoing disparities for the communities that we work alongside. We believe in being intentional that everyone, regardless of economic circumstances, race, gender, sexuality, national origin, or any other differences, feels they can obtain the benefits of meaningful participation in the arts.
Free Arts NYC must amplify diversity within the arts by connecting youth to a variety of opportunities that build their social capital. Inequity is an ongoing issue, and we will meet it with ongoing and evolving efforts. Through strength-based, intentional curriculum design and development of our staff and board’s cultural competency, we will more effectively address the needs of those we serve.
Guiding Principles
Empowering COMMUNITIES through arts and mentoring programs for youth to develop creativity, confidence, and the skills to succeed.
Strengthening PARTNERSHIPS in our community to broaden and scale Free Arts NYC’s impact.
Developing and cultivating relationships with DONORS to enable Free Arts NYC to achieve its fundraising goals and further our mission.
Continuing to make Free Arts NYC a great place to work and volunteer for OUR PEOPLE so they can focus on what matters—our mission.
When you support us, you support…
Pairing youth 1:1 with dedicated volunteer mentors who help cultivate and explore their creative interests.
Building pathways for young people to explore their creative interests, build social capital, participate in exhibitions, and gain valuable experience through paid internships to shape their professional journeys.
Providing transportation, technology, equipment, art materials, stipends, and nourishment to ensure creative potential is not hindered by practical limitations.
Prioritizing that young talent, regardless of background, has an equal chance to explore and thrive in the creative realm. Our initiatives focus on dismantling barriers and promoting inclusivity.
Founder Story
“I first discovered the powerful intersection of art-making and mentoring while volunteering with Free Arts in LA. As an elementary school teacher in the late 90s, I observed a gap in opportunities for art education. My perspective deepened when I began volunteering at a residential care facility for boys. Witnessing the transformative impact of arts engagement and mentorship on the children inspired me to bring this concept back east and establish Free Arts NYC.
Because of the support of a generous philanthropic family and my lifelong connections and networks I had access to in the city, I was able to launch Free Arts NYC and shape it into all it is today. Our community of supporters propel the organization forward; it’s a network I’m truly inspired by. I remain motivated today by the same change I saw so many years ago, only now I see it in the lives of young people in our community. I love to see the way students embrace our programs and their valuable input has helped us evolve over the years. The core belief that art should be accessible to all drives me, and I’m excited about the growth that lies ahead as we keep opening doors.”
Liz Hopfan
Founder & CEO
Staff
Brandy Bajalia
Chief of Programs
brandy@freeartsnyc.org
Priscila Briones
Internship Program Manager
priscila.b@freeartsnyc.org
Alexa Coppola, M.S.W.
Creative Lab Manager
alexa.c@freeartsnyc.org
Melanie Delach
Senior Portfolio Development Manager
melanie.d@freeartsnyc.org
Mandi Eberle
Graphic Designer
mandi.e@freeartsnyc.org
Annette Estevez
Program Coordinator
annette.e@freeartsnyc.org
Mikaela Fernandez
Data Specialist
mikaela@freeartsnyc.org
Kristen Garrett
Development Associate
kristen.garrett@freeartsnyc.org
Liz Hopfan
Founder & CEO
liz@freeartsnyc.org
Tashiera Howard, PhD
Chief Operating Officer
tashiera.howard@freeartsnyc.org
Michelle Kim
Development Operations Manager
michelle.kim@freeartsnyc.org
Erick Konczyk
Finance Director (PT)
erick@freeartsnyc.org
Melissa Levinsohn
Grant Writer (PT)
melissa@freeartsnyc.org
Jen May
Free Arts Day Manager
jen.m@freeartsnyc.org
Rachel Park
Development Manager
rachel@freeartsnyc.org
Oliver Pattenden
Chief Development Officer
oliver.pattenden@freeartsnyc.org
David Petrak
Program Coordinator
david.petrak@freeartsnyc.org
Amber Renaye
Creative Strategist
amber@freeartsnyc.org
Board of Directors
Dana Finesilver
Dana Finesilver Design
Sky Gellatly
CEO & Co-founder of ICNCLST
Eddie Martinez
Artist
David Mielke
Retired Partner, PwC Deals Practice
Linda Schaps
MA, MSW
Richard Schaps
CEO, Van Wagner Communications
Trina Storfer
Co-Founder, Orchard Street Ventures
Carol Suchman
Investor, NYVP.com
Denzil H. Wilson
Director, Office of the Executive Vice President, Global Programs, Ford Foundation
Renier van Aswegen
Principal, PwC Deals Practice
Patron Circle
Alex Bass
Founder, Salon 21
Nicole Bouchard
Partner, Tax Practice Group Leader, Brown Rudnick LLP
Peter Brockman
Business & Talent Development, ICNCLST/
Bernadette DeAngelis
Director of Marketing Transformation & Operations, Coach
Sarah Fleischer
Founder & Interior Designer, SRF Interiors
Jonathan Illari
Associate General Counsel, Masterworks
Andrew James
Associate Director, Todd Merrill Studio
Ben Jordan
Real Estate Agent, The Jonathan Stein Team at Douglas Elliman
Gia Kuan
Founder, Gia Kuan Consulting
Kim Picarillo
Senior Manager, Intapp
Steve Rojas
Global Marketing Director, The Twenty Two
Gretchen Rouillard
Marketing Assistant & Senior Executive Assistant, Revlon
Tariku Shiferaw
Artist
Marcus Leslie Singleton
Artist
Andrew Stone
Chief Brand & Culture Officer, Bluestone Lane
Anne Whiting
Founder & Upcycled Fashion Designer, Anne James New York LLC
Supporters
Foundations
American Eagle Outfitters Foundation
Kathi & Peter Arnow Foundation
Arts & Letters Foundation
Belling Family Foundation
Brown Rudnick Charitable Foundation
Edward & Verna Gerbic Family Foundation
The Hyde & Watson Foundation
Hyman Family Foundation
Joy of Giving Something, Inc.
LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation
The Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation
Muna & Basem Hishmeh Foundation
The Richard & Natalie Jacoff Foundation, Inc.
PVH Foundation
Sony Corporation of America Foundation
The Pinkerton Foundation
The Ruth Stanton Foundation
Wingstop Charities
Government
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
New York State Council on the Arts
Free Arts NYC’S Programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Corporate
Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP
Apollo Global Management LP
Architecture Plus Information
Ares Management Company
Argo Group, Inc.
Knitwell Group
Bank of America
Blick Art Materials
Bloomberg Philanthropies
BNP Paribas
BNY Mellon
Christie's
Corporate Volunteers of New York
Estee Lauder Companies
FS Investments
Givsly
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Goodwin Procter LLP
Hauser & Wirth
Hermès
Intermediate Capital Group
KKR
Kohl's
Lone Pine Foundation
McKinsey & Company
Mr. NYC Subway
Munich RE
Paramount
PitchBook
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PVH Corp
Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation
Sasaki
Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC
Siebert Williams
Snap, Inc.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Swiss Institute
Tiffany & Co.
UBS
United Talent Agency
Verb Products
Viking Global
Warby Parker
In-Kind
Amanita
Blick Art Materials
Bluestone Lane
Cadogan Tate
Fireclay Tile
Foodtown/PSK Supermarkets
Independent Art Fair
Mandinos
NEST
Plural
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP
Revlon
Saucony
Shantell Martin
Shake Shack
Taschen
The Armory Show
The Athletic Clubs
The Joy of Giving Foundation
Undefeated
*Updated Quarterly
