Free Arts Days

The Free Arts Day Program sparks imagination in 6–12-year-olds through the exploration of artists, art movements, styles, materials, and techniques in group settings. Through partnerships with over 30 community organizations, transitional housing facilities, and schools, we reach over 1,900 children annually.

This exposure creates opportunities for children to develop their creativity and communication skills with a caring adult while working together to create art projects based on the day’s theme.

Mentoring is a work of art.

Children are paired 1:1 with adult volunteers for an afternoon of art making and mini mentoring. Curriculum themes include financial literacy, community, collaboration and are centered around art practices and creative processes that introduce new materials.

Sheila Pepe’s 2023 exhibition

With support from the Ruth Stanton Foundation and in partnership with the Madison Square Park Conservancy, we host an Annual Free Arts Day in the park where students make art alongside featured exhibiting artists.
In FAD Studios, children explore art more deeply through field trips and special projects with art institutions, artists, and galleries including Art Random, David Zwirner and the Swiss Institute.

Visiting David Zwirner gallery to see Yayoi Kusama’s exhibition

Learning the art of shadow puppetry with the Swiss Institute

Artists Featured in 2023–2024 Curriculum

El Anatsui
Cavanaugh Bell
Hebru Brantley
Linda Goode Bryant

Mari Copeny
Amanda Gorman
Hyesu Lee
Xiuhtezcatl Roske Martinez

Robby Novack
Lina Puerta
Favianna Rodriguez
Rose B. Simpson

Sheida Soleimani
Hank Willis Thomas
Greta Thunberg
Nari Ward

Melati & Isabel Wijsen
Malala Yousafzai

  • Free Arts Day with Goldman Sachs

  • Caliya, 7

  • Free Arts Day with Bloomberg Philanthropies

  • Christian, 9

  • Free Arts Day community volunteer

  • Princess, 8

  • Free Arts Day with Goldman Sachs

  • Jaden, 13

  • “NY So Cool, We RULE.”

  • Kingsley, 8

  • Free Arts Day at Madison Square Park Conservancy

  • Layra, 8

  • Exploring Ali Cherri’s exhibition at The Swiss Institute

  • Robert, 5

  • Making dioramas with ARES

  • Emely, 10

  • Art field trips make the best days

  • Kamiyah, 10

  • Discovering artifacts with the Swiss Institute

  • Shaila, 12

Program Overview

Timeline: On-going, year round

Participants: Children 6–12 who are affiliated with our community partners

Setting: These events take place across the city at companies, schools, community centers, and the Free Arts studio.

Commitment: These events are 2-3 hours and pair children 1:1 with volunteers for an afternoon.

Objective: Children are encouraged to explore new themes through art-making in a way that supports social emotional development and communication skills.

Curriculum Themes: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), identity, financial literacy, growth and change, collaboration, and social awareness.

Resources: Children are provided with transportation, lunch, art materials, and handmade bags to take their art and supplies home in.

*Volunteer applications closed for the season.