Free Arts NYC provides under-served children and families with a unique combination of educational arts and mentoring programs that help them to foster the self-confidence and resiliency needed to realize their fullest potential.

Founded in 1997 by Executive Director Liz Hopfan, Free Arts NYC programming has touched the lives of more than 28,000 at-risk children and parents. Ms. Hopfan launched the non-profit organization with $100,000 and has grown Free Arts NYC to the current 2.1 million operating budget it is today.

Our programs create a safe space and cultivate an environment of good will allowing children to feel comfortable and open to risk-taking and able to embrace our motto, “There are no mistakes in art!”

Free Arts staff train our caring volunteer mentors to deliver high-quality art experiences to low income, homeless and neglected children in their neighborhoods at our program partner sites.

By providing youth with a transformative creative arts experience that results in the strengthening and development of life skills, we help them develop inner resources that support them during difficult experiences now — to ensure that they will be able to successfully negotiate future challenges.

NOTE: If you would like to participate in one of our programs, you must be affiliated with one of our program partners.