Over 450 children, families, mentors and supporters gathered at the Bronx Museum of the Arts to celebrate the incredible work of our program participants this year. Guests enjoyed music from KIPP Rhythm and the String Orchestra Kids, signed petitions and created a mural for 1% for Culture and enjoyed an evening of fun, family-friendly activities.

Special guests included artists Tara Donovan, Lesley Dill, and Carol Sun whose works were inspiration for Free Arts curriculum projects this year. Special thanks to sponsors AriZona Iced Tea, Pirate’s Booty, Fredrix Canvas, Mayra Fae Rios & Fun Creations, Pinnacle Limousine, Rafael Oliveras & Copies Unlimited and Coqui Mexicano.

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Free Arts NYC held its 12th Annual Art Auction Benefit at the Chelsea Art Museum on May 17th presented by HP & Bank of America. The event was co-chaired by board members Amanda Ross and Mary Alice Stephenson and raised over $600,000 for art mentoring programs.

Over 600 guests sipped cocktails by Kanon Organic Vodka and Authentic Tequila Alacran and bid on over 90 works of art by Terence Koh, Bruce High Quality, James Nares, Ryan McNamara, Max Snow, Olaf Breuning and others. Guests including Molly Sims, Emily Mortimer, Ed Westwick, Hilary Rhoda & Sean Avery enjoyed tunes by DJ J-Logic.

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On May 5th Free Arts NYC partnered with Keds for the New York City stop in their Nation-wide How Do You Do campaign. Free Arts, along with FIT and Pace University students, spread the word to friends and supporters for a Twitter fund-raising campaign – Keds donated $1 for every inspirational tweet with the hashtag #KedsHYDY_NYC and we raised $4,000! The campaign culminated with an event in Union Square, where Free Arts volunteers painted an 8-foot mural inspired by How Do You Do New York City tweets.

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