After receiving a highly-sought after $1.7 million grant from Creatives Rebuild New York, the NYC non-profit Creative Muse is working with multidisciplinary artists to expand the arts programming on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
Founded in 2017, Creative Muse provides programming and mentorship to youth and adults placing importance on creativity and mindfulness. The organization primarily serves people of color, immigrant communities, and low-income individuals to help them access the creative and social skills critical for success.
Some of the programs being added due to the grant include artist residencies at Campos Plaza which will provide vulnerable youth, families, and communities the opportunity to creatively express themselves. The residency will allow individuals access to a theater, digital tablets, beat-making equipment, and more.
Providing professional artists with full-time employment, in an environment that allows them to pursue their craft, will lead to more robust programming for our students and communities and help solidify New York’s status as an artist-friendly state.
-Creative Muse Executive Director Jamie Parganos
Creative Muse was also founded with the aim to provide employment and mentorship opportunities for other adult artists and an environment where they are full-time employees. The non-profit offers higher than average hourly rates, monthly customized workshops, a robust substitute roster, a two-teacher per class requirement, and a great environment for artists to create.
As an artist, flexibility in a work schedule is crucial … this is the reason why many artists have little choice but to take on various part-time/contract jobs instead of committing to full-time work, effectively making basic socio-economic rights such as financial stability, healthcare, retirement savings, etc. luxuries instead of the norm. A workplace that ensures all of these rights while allowing us the freedom to pursue our own artistic endeavors is a rare and unbelievably special opportunity.
– Teaching Artist and Actor Libby Lee
With the support of CRNY, Creative Muse plans to continue to expand its programming throughout 2022. All programs will integrate Creative Muse’s model for mindfulness and social-emotional learning, which includes promoting resiliency and optimistic thinking. Stay tuned for community events, slam poetry readings, comedy shows, open mic nights, and more from the non-profit.
While being a musician has many redeeming qualities, we are merely human and yearn for true fulfillment … having the opportunity to apply my multiple decades of artistic experience to work with future generations fills a void that performing alone is unable to.
– Multi-instrumentalist and Producer Prince Terrence
For the full bios of all the Creative Muse teaching artists and more information about upcoming programming, visit the organization’s website.
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