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We are an arts education program for teens and young adults that aims to provide the students with a creative and informed outlet for self-expression through art and media.
Help our organization make an impact in young adults by donating today!
Smarty Arty provides arts and media arts education to youth, while offering a safe outlet to cultivate creativity. It is our belief that self-expression builds confidence. This program encourages artists and creators who are passionate about their craft, to share their gift and expertise with students who are typically underserved when it comes to arts education.
Accomplished creators are invited to inspire young creative minds, paying forward the opportunities once provided to them and further serving the cultural community as a whole.
Joy Jones is an Integrated Marketing Professional with over 15 years of entertainment, sports and media marketing experience. Having worked in various aspects of the field Joy noticed there was not always equal representation, whether it be in conference rooms, production, the writers’ room, on set or post production. When provided with the opportunities to work with talented BIPOC professionals on projects, she never hesitated to recruit professionals and creators to share their talents and skills with young people. Out of the need to provide access and proudly represent for the many talented creators of color, Smarty Arty was born!
"When she is not working her marketing magic during the week, she can be found each Saturday in Harlem teaching a leadership development youth program which she has done every Saturday since 2001. - A sharp mind and a heart of gold to boot!"
Key goals I set for myself this summer were to become more comfortable with public speaking and to network with other young professionals like myself. I feel that my goal got achieved as the program progressed. The Smarty Arty program presented me with the opportunity to network and collaborate with girls and boys that share similar interests with me….(read more)
“Giving young people exposure into a career path is incredible!” “I think that a program like this that gives young people exposure to real careers where they can gain an understanding of roles, and expose them to subject matters they may want to study in college, is really beneficial at a young age,” said Stacy Fuller…(read more)
“I liked the creative ideas the students had around the assignment we came up with.” “I thought it was a really fun assignment to do!” “I was excited to see what scenes they would pick, and what ideas they would have and I was not disappointed at all!” says Shannon Davis is a film and television editor. Mrs. Davis taught students… (read more)
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