Art Connects New York

Art Connects New York, founded in 2006, facilitates the installation of permanent exhibitions of contemporary artwork in diverse human service organizations to inspire critical dialogue and promote healing among the people those agencies serve, such as people who are formerly incarcerated, elderly, those with physical or mental challenges, homeless, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ individuals, to name just a few.

These exhibitions, organized by both emerging and established independent curators, engage people with art and increase their understanding of the world around them. “If the multigenerational poor are to make the leap out of poverty, it will require a new kind of thinking – reflection” said social critic Earl Shorris in 1997. He changed lives by creating opportunities for learning the “ultimate skills: reflection and critical thinking”, and Art Connects New York follows this example by exposing the visual arts to underserved communities in all five boroughs of NYC.

By enhancing the daily experience of thousands of people annually where they live or receive social services, Art Connects New York increases knowledge and understanding for these individuals, opening a new spectrum of possibilities available to them in the world.

Follow @ArtConnectsNY