ARTs East New York
Catherine Green, Founder & Executive Director
ARTs East New York Inc. (AENY) provides access and affordability to high quality artistic programming for the community. It uses the arts as a tool to affect the socio-economic challenges facing the neighborhood. AENY’s purpose is “to provide an enriching environment in which community members experience and become inspired by distinctive aesthetic and cultural programs.”
AENY’s focus is on youth programs, neighborhood cultural events, and community beautification projects. Its Young ARTist Institute is an afterschool program where 8 to 18 year olds participate in arts education classes supplemented with guest speakers, fieldtrips, and cultural events. AENY collaborates with many other neighborhood groups to present varied artistic performances. Its community beautification and improvement projects include an African burial ground dedication for remains located beneath the New Lots Library and “Mural Mile” to beautify the building walls of the mixed residential and business area and improve street safety by adding lighting.