Harlem Art and The Gardens Youth Program

You are invited to join The Park Association in providing educational services in 2019.

A part of the mission of our nonsectarian, nonprofit organization is delivering  our Summer Youth Enrichment Program, which is in its 23nd year. We provide kids from low-income Harlem families with an amazing 7 week long summer experience like no other.  All of it is at no charge to the families. 

Art and the Gardens Program is a beloved staple in our Central Harlem neighborhood.  Our program uses enrichment activities to stimulate thought, imagination, and learning while improving literacy skills in reading, writing and arithmetic; and strengthening self-esteem.

A significant enhancement to the program curriculum began in 2002 through our partnership with The Bank Street College of Education, a national leader in innovative children's learning. Bank Street assists our staff in designing activities that aim to help children increase academic and literacy skills as well as learn critical life skills through arts, science, gardening and other activities and workshops.

Program activities include field trips and on-site activities in our four parks. In the past, children have visited important cultural and educational sites including the Museum of Natural History, Studio Museum of Harlem, a working farm, The Rose Planetarium, Central Park Zoo, and the Cloisters.

Art and the Gardens 7-hour program runs daily Monday to Friday, from early July to late August. In addition to the consultants from Bank Street College, the program employs staff including a program director, counselor or assistant director, one or more group leaders and/or youth workers, and a maintenance worker. 

Art and the Gardens would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and friends of the organization. Every year our spring  fundraising is especially important as helps deliver the program as intended,- without cutting corners.

Gifts to the Art and the Gardens Summer Youth Enrichment Program Fund are tax-deductible and may be eligible for a corporate match.