irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.70MPARTNER SCHOOLS: WE SERVE THREE ANCHOR SCHOOLS WHERE UAP EMPLOYEES ARE STATIONED FULL TIME AS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DIRECTORS. WE PROVIDE WHOLE SCHOOL SUPPORT AND OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CORE UAP PROGRAMS DURING AND AFTER SCHOOL, AS WELL AS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. ANCHOR SCHOOLS ARE A CRITICAL LAB SPACE FOR UAP TO WORK WITH SCHOOL LEADERS AND TEACHERS TO TEST INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ENGAGING STUDENTS THROUGH THE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY.
- #2 $96KNAGLER SCHOLARSHIP: THE NAGLER SCHOLAR IS A PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED BY BOARD MEMBER NICLAS NAGLER TO PROVIDE URBAN ARTS STUDENTS WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT NEEDED TO REDUCE THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS AND GROW AS LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO ONE NAGLER SCHOLAR EACH YEAR, THE TOP THREE RUNNERS-UP FOR THE AWARD ALSO RECEIVE FUNDING TO OFFSET COLLEGE EXPENSES.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Nagler Scholarship
Prestigious scholarship funded by board member Niclas Nagler offering $60,000 to one student annually, with additional funding for the top three runners-up to support higher education costs
Partner Schools
Provides full-time community school directors and whole-school support at three anchor schools in New York City, implementing core UAP programs during, after, and throughout the summer to test innovative arts and technology-based student engagement approaches
School of Interactive Arts
Teaches video game design and related arts—storytelling, music production, visual arts—to develop students' coding and digital arts skills; all graduates enroll in college for digital arts, computer science, or engineering
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Game Design and Development Education 2 activities
- Advancing digital game design education in higher educationHelped launch the first four-year public Digital Game Design degree program at CUNY's City College of New York, expanding access to higher education pathways in game design and technology.
- Teaching digital game design to students from low-income communitiesProvides in-school and after-school programs that teach digital game design as a pathway to college and career, guiding students from middle school through high school into higher education and early careers. Programs include coding, storytelling, music production, visual arts, and game development using tools like Unity3D, Godot, Blender, and GitHub.
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Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Delivering technology and arts education in NYC public schoolsImplements whole-school support and core programs in three anchor New York City public schools as a lead Community-Based Organization in the Community Schools Initiative, delivering research-driven, technology and arts-based education programs to thousands of students annually through embedded full-time staff.
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Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
- Employing and supporting alumni in tech and creative careersEmploys over 40 alumni as educators, software engineers, and designers, and supports college students and recent graduates by connecting them with internships and early career opportunities in the tech and gaming industries.
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Funding college scholarships for studentsAwards the annual Nagler Scholarship of $60,000 to one student and provides funding to three runners-up to help cover college expenses.
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Game Community Events & Expos 1 activity
- Hosting student showcases and industry engagement eventsOrganizes annual and virtual events where students present their original games to public audiences and industry professionals, receive expert feedback, compete for awards in design, art, and storytelling, and attend master classes with professional game designers.
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Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
- Organizing industry field trips and networking opportunitiesArranges field trips to leading gaming, tech, and media companies to expose students to workplace environments and industry practices, and connects students with professionals for mentorship and career guidance.
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K–12 Computer Science & AI Education 1 activity
- Providing professional development and curricula for educatorsDevelops and delivers STEAM and computer science curricula, professional development, and teaching resources for middle and high school teachers nationwide, including training in Minecraft for Education, AP Computer Science Principles (via Game On), and introductory computer science instruction.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Supporting student college access and successOffers college readiness programming including workshops on college applications, personal statements, resumes, and financial planning; supports alumni with internships and early career opportunities; and has helped students earn $71 million in scholarships since 2020. All graduates of the School of Interactive Arts enroll in college in related fields.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$7.48M
Contributions & grants$6.86M92%
Program service revenue$222K3%
Investment income$375K5%
Other revenue$23K
expenses
Total expenses$6.66M
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising17%
Salaries & benefits$4.04M
Grants paid out$96K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$14.47M
Cash$1.44M
Investments$5.93M
Liabilities$5.97M
Net assets$8.50M
Liquid reserves13.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +7.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILIP COURTNEY | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $319K |
| KATHLEEN ELIE | CHIEF OPERATING AND FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $174K |
| AMY PATERSON | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $169K |
| SHANNON MORAN | DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS | 40 | $159K |
| JENIFER WALTER | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | 40 | $148K |
| RICHARD MORIN | DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE PARTNERHIP | 40 | $130K |
| MEREDITH SUMMS | DIRECTOR OF SIA MASTERY | 40 | $124K |
| JULIE WOLPOV | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $122K |
board members · 17
- ARIENNE THOMPSON-PLOURDE — DIRECTOR (AS OF 12/24/24)
- BEN STUART — DIRECTOR (THRU 9/18/24)
- BIANCA TENNYSON — DIRECTOR
- CARLTON CHARLES — DIRECTOR
- DAN PELSON — DIRECTOR
- ELLEN FLAHERTY — DIRECTOR
- ELSIE PAN — DIRECTOR
- ELYSE DREYER — CHAIR
- GREG FREIBERG — DIRECTOR
- JOSH REYNOLDS — DIRECTOR
- JUSTIN SUNSHINE — TREASURER
- KATRINA DIBBINI — DIRECTOR
- KIMBERLY KING — DIRECTOR
- MICHELLE GANELESS — DIRECTOR (THRU 5/9/25)
- NICLAS NAGLER — DIRECTOR
- RACHEL ASCHALEW — DIRECTOR
- RANDI ENGELBRECHT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- ASU Endless Games and Learning Lab Partner — Collaborates with Endless Access and Urban Arts to issue industry-recognized microcredentials to students who complete game design programs
- Amazon Partner — Employer of Urban Arts alumni
- AristoRats Partner — Student-led game development studio affiliated with Urban Arts Partnership's Game Studio Capstone course.
- City College of New York Partner — Collaborated to launch a four-year Digital Game Design degree program.
- College Board Partner — Endorses Urban Arts programs
- College Board Partner — Endorses Urban Arts' Game On program for AP Computer Science Principles instruction.
- Endless Access Partner — Collaborates to pilot a virtual game design sprint and co-develop an industry-recognized microcredential for high school students
- Lucasfilm Partner — Employer of Urban Arts alumni
- NYC’s Community Schools Initiative Partner — Collaborates with Urban Arts as a lead Community-Based Organization to support students, families, and communities in three Manhattan schools.
- Niclas Nagler Funder — Board member who funds the Nagler Scholarship for Urban Arts students.
- Salesforce Partner — Employer of Urban Arts alumni
- U.S. Department of Education Government — Supports Urban Arts programs
- Unity Technologies Partner — Employer of Urban Arts alumni
- leading global brands Partner — Collaborates with leading global brands to support student opportunities through philanthropic investment.
- program partners Partner — Network of organizations that support student engagement through networking opportunities with employees.
strategies · 3
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.
- Game Design as Integrated STEAM and Career Pathwaymethodology: games-as-educationBy teaching computer science through digital game design, we develop technical, creative, and emotional skills in students, because engagement with play increases motivation and deepens learning. Integrating arts, technology, and narrative fosters holistic skill development and opens pathways to college and careers in tech and media.
- Industry-Connected Experiential Learning Modelmethodology: industry-connected_learningBy connecting students to professionals in gaming, tech, and media through mentorships, site visits, and project presentations, we increase access to career pathways, because exposure and representation from industry role models build aspirational identity and real-world readiness.
- Studio-Based Project Progression Modelmethodology: studio-based_learningBy progressing students from individual 2D games to team-based 3D development in a studio environment, we build collaboration and specialized skills, because simulating real-world indie game workflows deepens technical mastery and professional preparedness.