The Harlem School of the Arts

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The Harlem School of the Arts
The Harlem School of Arts (48170421892).jpg
Address
The Harlem School of the Arts
645 Saint Nicholas Avenue

,
10030

United States
Information
Established1964;60 years ago (1964)
PresidentJames C. Horton
Website hsanyc.org

Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) is an art school located in the Harlem section of Manhattan, New York City, United States. Opening its doors in 1964, HSA serves ages 2 through 18.

Contents

History

Founder of HSA, Dorothy Maynor. Maud Cuney Hare-255-Dorothy Maynor.jpg
Founder of HSA, Dorothy Maynor.

Harlem School of the Arts was founded in 1964, by soprano Dorothy Maynor in the basement of the St. James Presbyterian Church in Harlem at a time when the community suffered severe physical blight, high levels of poverty, and few cultural resources for its young people. Maynor was succeeded by mezzo-soprano Betty Allen as President in 1979, when a new 37,000 square foot facility designed by Ulrich Franzen was completed.[ citation needed ] Other presidents included Allicia Adams, Camille Akjeu, and Daryl Durham. Eric G. Pryor was president and CEO between August 2015 and December 2019. [1] Currently, Lisa Davis and Kenneth W. Taber act as Interim Co-Chairs. [2]

In 2005, the school was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by then New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. [3] [4] Despite the Great Recession of 2010, the Harlem School of the Arts stabilized its fiscal position following a $6 million gift. [5]

Courses

The school offers courses in four disciplines: music, theatre, visual arts, and dance. Courses in music include classical, jazz, gospel, R & B, electronic, and world music. Dance courses include ballet, modern, ethnic, jazz, and tap dance. In addition to theater classes, the visual art department offers courses that include sculpture and photography (digital and film). The school's students are of diverse cultural backgrounds with more than 85% of the students being African American or Latino. [6] HSA provides financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis through the generous donations of the Herb Alpert Foundation and other generous benefactors. [7] The school also offers private lessons in various disciplines, including multiple instruments along with dance, digital art, animation, cinematography, and acting. [8]

Other information

The school was featured in the May 1966 issue of EBONY Magazine. [9]

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

Timeline

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References

Notes
  1. "The Harlem School of the Arts Announces Departure of the Organization's President Eric G. Pryor". www.prnewswire.com. Harlem School of the Arts. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  2. "Board of Directors". Harlem School of the Arts. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  3. Roberts, Sam (2005-07-06). "City Groups Get Bloomberg Gift of $20 Million". The New York Times.
  4. Carnegie Archived 2008-03-10 at the Wayback Machine .
  5. "Iconic Musician Donates $6 Million in Grants to Harlem School". NBC New York. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  6. "ABOUT US". Harlem School of the Arts. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  7. "HSA". Harlem School of the Arts. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  8. "Private Lessons". Harlem School of the Arts. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  9. Company, Johnson Publishing (1966-05-01). Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "HSA Alumni Association | Harlem School of the Arts". hsanyc.org. Retrieved 2015-09-10.
  11. Aridi, Sara (2019-04-10). "Harlem School of the Arts Announces $9.5 Million Renovation". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  12. Gurden, Dean (2022-07-13). "Arts school lobby transformed into performance space". AV Magazine. Retrieved 2022-07-16.

40°49′19.95″N73°56′45.17″W / 40.8222083°N 73.9458806°W / 40.8222083; -73.9458806