It felt like a daunting task: Developing Artists needs to raise $150,000 before the end of year. We needed to make up the deficit we incurred last year due to funding restrictions including the termination of the NEA Award.

Thanks in part to our current funders as well as individual donors, I am happy to report that we are closing in on our goal!

We only have $26,000 to go to hit our $150,000 goal.

This is where it really gets exciting: We’re just $8,000 away from unlocking a $25,000 matching fund offered by one of our generous funders.

Here’s how you can help us reach the finish line:

Give what you can. Consider your End of Year gift now.
Become a Monthly Supporter: Even $25/month means we can plan more confidently for the year ahead.
Connect Us: If you know a foundation or organization that values youth arts, your introduction can make all the difference.
Spread the Word: Forward this email or share our story on social media—every voice helps amplify the cause.

These past few weeks have reminded us of something powerful: we’re not in this alone. You’ve shown up for us — because you believe in DA's work, in the voices of young people, and in the power of art to transform lives and challenge the world as it is.Let’s make sure our young artists know we believe in the Power of Art.

For nearly three decades Developing Artists has impacted thousands of lives. Not only have we trained future artists, we have also carried out our mission to create work that inspires positive social change.

We weathered many challenges through the years and we are not going away anytime soon! But at this moment in time DA is being directly targeted, because we actively speak for the voiceless. For example, like many arts organizations, the NEA terminated grants to DA, which was a major source of funding for REBEL VERSES Youth Arts Festival (And you know how important RV is to the NY theater scene!). And next year, we're bracing for the loss of another large funder. This isn’t just a budget issue. It’s part of a disturbing trend — national investment in arts education is being pulled back at a time when young people need creative outlets, safe spaces, and purpose more than ever. All this comes at a pivotal time for DA when we are finally recovering from the pandemic, strategically planning to serve more students and speaking even louder to fight for a better world.

This is one of those critical junctures when we need to lean on our community in a big way: We need to raise $150,000.

And to kick off our Emergency Funding Campaign, we received a pledge for $40,000 already! Stand with us now. Let’s keep this vital work alive. We are still here, because of supporters who believe in the work we do, believe in art, and believe in fighting for justice.

How You Can Help

Donate — One-time or monthly, (even if it's just $5 a month) every dollar counts.
Spread the Word — Share this campaign.
Make Introductions — Know a funder, donor, or arts advocate? Connect us jinn@developingartists.org.

Your Donation Helps Us:

Avoid drastic cuts to our 2-year-round training programs
Support a new ensemble of young artists coming into the Institute
Continue to amplify the voices of NYC youth through original, social justice-driven art

Art Is Hope.

If You Believe in the Power of Art...