named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Artist Residencies
Supports artists through the CRITICAL BREAKS program, providing space, resources, and production support to develop new performance and visual art works.
Echoes of the Future
Anniversary and celebratory event series highlighting Hi-ARTS’ legacy and future of urban art innovation.
Journal 2 Journey
Youth development program in partnership with Urban Word that transforms student poetry into theatrical one-act plays.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 2 activities
- Artist Residency Program for Multidisciplinary ArtistsProvides developmental residencies for multidisciplinary performing and visual artists at a pivotal stage in their careers, offering financial support, studio space, administrative assistance, mentorship, professional development, and time to advance new works. The program includes specialized tracks such as community-engaged practice and post-residency alumni support through the Creative Continuum program.
- Professional Development and Artist Support ServicesOffers workshops, networking opportunities, and career advancement resources for artists, including the ARTIST LAB workshop series led by industry professionals, a newsletter listing paid artistic opportunities, and temporary technical/creative staffing support for residency and youth programs.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Affordable Studio Space Rental for Artists and Community MembersOperates two air-conditioned studios—Studio 1 (832 sq ft, sprung floor) and Studio 3 (410 sq ft, hardwood floor)—available for rent at subsidized rates ($10/hour for dance, $25/hour private) to support rehearsals, workshops, and project sharings for artists and community members.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Artistic Programming and Public Events CurationCurates and presents performance series, festivals, and public events that center stories and perspectives of the Global Majority, including full productions, film screenings, virtual conversation series, and participatory installations such as The Art of Remembrance. Events include the annual Hip-Hop Theater Festival, MIXTAPE MOVEMENT, SKY LAB projects, and site-specific celebrations like Días de los Muertos.
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Creative Continuum Program for Alumni ArtistsOffers ongoing support to alumni artists through financial subsidies of up to $1,500, access to rehearsal and studio space, loaned materials and technical equipment, curatorial conversations, programming guidance, and partnerships with organizations like Materials for the Arts (MFTA) to sustain creative development beyond initial residencies.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Youth and Community Arts Education ProgramsDelivers culturally informed arts education programs for learners of all ages, including pre-professional youth development initiatives like Journal 2 Journey—which transforms student poetry into theatrical one-act plays—and Cultural After-School Adventures (CASA), an after-school program for K–12 students in underserved NYC communities.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.20M
Contributions & grants$866K72%
Program service revenue$325K27%
Investment income$290%
Other revenue$6K
expenses
Total expenses$1.15M
Program expenses55%
Admin / overhead29%
Fundraising16%
Salaries & benefits$555K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$494K
Cash$392K
Investments$0
Liabilities$45K
Net assets$449K
Liquid reserves4.1 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +10.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARON MCKINNEY | President/Direc | 40 | $116K |
board members · 8
- CONSTANCE MORTELL — Board Member
- DAVID G LUTHER JR — Board Member
- FARRAH HOLDER — Board Member
- LAUREN DEGEORGE — Board Member
- REGINA CHAN — Board Treasurer
- REGINALD BOOKER — Director
- SARAH KEECH — Chair
- ZENOBIA LOCKHART — Secretary
relationships · 33
Who they work with
- Apollo Theater Partner — Partnered with Hi-ARTS on the production of "water riot: a cyber punk rock opera" through the Creative Continuum program.
- Ayana Ayo Partner — Collaborated with Hi-ARTS to develop and launch the ONE WALL MOVEMENT public art initiative.
- Backstage Buzz Partner — Newsletter and listing platform used to share paid and temporary opportunities with the Hi-ARTS Creative Community.
- Billie Holiday Theatre Partner — Partnered with Hi-ARTS on the production of "Twelve Angry Black Women" through the Creative Continuum program.
- Dance/NYC Partner — Administers the New York City Dance Rehearsal Space Subsidy Program, made possible by the Mellon Foundation, which supports Hi-ARTS
- Dance/NYC Partner — Partners with Dance/NYC to offer subsidized dance rentals through the Rehearsal Space Subsidy Program.
- Developing Artists Partner — Collaborates with Developing Artists on programming and artistic initiatives.
- Eto Otitigbe Partner — Partners with Eto Otitigbe on community-centered programming culminating in the public artwork Emanativ at the Manhattan Greenway Harlem River in 2026.
- Georgetown University Partner — Co-presented the concert Just to Get By at the Kennedy Center to showcase inter-religious diversity through Hip-Hop.
- Howard Gilman Foundation Funder — Provides organizational support to Hi-ARTS
- Hyde and Watson Foundation Funder — Provides organizational support to Hi-ARTS
- Kennedy Center Partner — Partnered with Hi-ARTS as Curator in Residence of Hip-Hop, supporting performances, panel discussions, and educational engagement.
- Level Forward Partner — Partnered with Hi-ARTS on the production of "Twelve Angry Black Women" through the Creative Continuum program.
- Lily Auchincloss Foundation Funder — Provides organizational support to Hi-ARTS
- Lucille Lortel Foundation Funder — Provides organizational support to Hi-ARTS
- Mellon Foundation Funder — Provides organizational support to Hi-ARTS
- Mosaic Network and Fund Funder — Provides organizational support to Hi-ARTS
- National Endowment for the Arts Government — Public funder supporting Hi-ARTS
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Public funder supporting Hi-ARTS in partnership with the City Council
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Public funder supporting Hi-ARTS with support from the Office of the Governor and New York State Legislature
- Polly Irungu Partner — Co-curated the Center Focus photography exhibition with Polly Irungu, featuring work by members of Black Women Photographers.
- Rennie Harris - Puremovement Partner — Partners with Rennie Harris - Puremovement for performance and dance-related projects.
- Scherman Foundation Funder — Provides organizational support to Hi-ARTS
- The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Funder — Receives support from the Mellon Foundation to subsidize dance rental rates.
- The Shed Partner — Partnered with Hi-ARTS on the "Movement Mondays" project through the Creative Continuum program.
- The Shubert Foundation Funder — Provides organizational support to Hi-ARTS
- Truthworker Theatre Company Partner — Collaborates with Truthworker Theatre Company on theater productions and youth engagement.
- Urban Word Partner — Co-runs the Journal 2 Journey youth development program with Hi-ARTS.
- Urban Word Partner — Collaborates with Urban Word on Journal 2 Journey, a pre-professional creative youth development initiative.
- alumni Partner — Engages alumni in curating artistic programming and community engagement initiatives.
+ 3 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Artist Empowerment for Community Impactmethodology: artist_empowerment_for_community_impactBy empowering artists of the Global Majority to create bold new works, we produce lasting positive change in urban communities, because authentic, community-rooted art drives cultural transformation and collective agency.
- Community-Engaged Art Practicemethodology: community-engaged_artBy supporting art that emerges from and engages directly with communities, we produce deeper civic connection and relevance, because artistic practice rooted in social context strengthens community identity and collective action.
- Continuity of Support for Artistsmethodology: continuum_modelBy extending institutional support beyond initial residencies, we produce sustained artistic growth and career resilience, because ongoing access to resources and networks mitigates the instability faced by artists of the Global Majority in traditional funding ecosystems.
- Cultural Equity in Artistic Narrativesmethodology: cultural_equityBy centering the creative visions of Artists of the Global Majority, we produce more authentic and transformative cultural expression, because equitable representation in performance and narrative drives broader societal recognition and evolution.
- Process-Centered Artistic Developmentmethodology: process-centered_developmentBy prioritizing the creative process over final production, we produce deeper artistic innovation and sustainable development, because sustained exploration in a supportive environment enables artists to take risks and evolve their work without product pressure.