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CHURCH STREET SCHOOL FOR MUSIC AND ART
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 133693660 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE A250 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · churchstreetschool.org
revenue
$1.6M
expenses
$1.8M
net assets
$-1.7M
employees
104
volunteers
35
program ratio
71%
mission · from form 990

CHURCH STREET SCHOOL IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING AFFORDABLE MUSIC AND ART EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND THEIR FAMILIES. A LONG STANDING COMMUNITY RESOURCE, THE SCHOOL SPECIALIZES IN FACILITATING THE EXPLORATION OF THE PHYSICAL CREATIVE PROCESS, AND STRIVES TO CONNECT EACH STUDENT WITH THEIR UNIQUE ARTISTIC VOICE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Church Street School for Music & Art is a nonprofit community arts school in Lower Manhattan, founded in 1990, offering accessible music and art education for people of all ages. The school provides programs in music, art, and creative expression, emphasizing inclusivity and connection to each student's authentic voice. It serves students from across New York City, New Jersey, and internationally, with scholarships and outreach initiatives to reduce financial barriers.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

7eventyTwo (72)
Youth-led program providing safe, substance-free spaces for teens (13–18) to share music and art; includes Battle of the Bands series judged by professional artists.
Adult Amateur Chamber Music Workshop
Annual three-day workshop for adult amateur musicians (piano, strings) to rehearse, perform, and connect, founded by Executive Director Dr. Christina Placilla and sponsored by ACMP.
Draw, Paint and Sip
Monthly community art event open to adults, combining creative expression with social engagement.
Summer Band Factory
Weeklong music intensives for students aged 8–18, featuring daily rehearsals, songwriting workshops, and performances led by professional musicians; expanded by 120% in summer 2024.
Tribeca Jazz Institute
Pre-professional jazz program offering training for aspiring jazz musicians, expanded to include vocal jazz and performance opportunities in prominent NYC venues.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 3 activities
    • Expand pre-professional jazz training through Tribeca Jazz Institute
      Operates the Tribeca Jazz Institute, launched in January 2023, which brings world-renowned jazz musicians to teach emerging professionals. The program expanded by 29% in FY24.
    • Offer private instrumental and vocal lessons for students and adults
      Provides one-on-one private music lessons in piano, guitar, bass, strings, drums, woodwinds, and voice for students ages 5 and up through adulthood, with flexible scheduling and options for in-home instruction. Also offers private art lessons for adults taught by experienced artists.
    • Provide affordable music and art education programs for all ages
      Offers hands-on music and art education programs for children, teens, and adults, including foundational classes, private lessons, and ensemble opportunities. Programs are available year-round across semesters, summer, and vacation periods, with an emphasis on accessibility and inclusion for individuals from all five boroughs of NYC, New Jersey, and internationally.
  • Community Art Education Workshops 2 activities
    • Provide adult-focused creative arts and music programs
      Offers a range of adult programs including group classes in yoga, painting, drumming, and improvisation; ensemble opportunities such as Adult Band Factory, adult chamber music groups, and The Downtown Beats chorus; and informal offerings like Draw, Paint, & Sip. Also hosts a weekend chamber music workshop for amateur musicians.
    • Run after-school and vacation arts programs for children
      Offers after-school creative arts programming including 60-minute art classes and the three-hour Creative Arts Club from 3PM to 6PM. Provides vacation programs on federal, cultural, religious, and administrative holidays, including mid-winter and spring breaks, with optional fee-based Creative Arts Club extensions and Vacation Arts Pods.
  • Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
    • Administer scholarship and financial aid programs
      Provides financial aid and scholarships to support access to music and art education regardless of financial circumstances, including a 5% scholarship for private lessons scheduled between 6:30pm and 9pm and in-home lesson options. Awarded $162,791.10 in scholarship funds in FY24.
  • Early Childhood Music Education 1 activity
    • Deliver structured early childhood arts education through EXPLORE! Series
      Provides a progression of hands-on music and art classes for young children, including Level I for toddlers and caregivers, Level II for ages 3–5 focusing on basic theory and techniques, and EXPLORE! Piano classes emphasizing experiential learning and discovery.
  • Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
    • Host public music and art events and performances
      Hosts monthly Open Mic Nights with performances backed by the CSSMA House Band, free jazz jam sessions open to the public with professional musicians, and concert fundraisers. Presented free performances to over 12,000 people in Downtown NYC in FY24.
  • Before and After School Childcare 1 activity
    • Offer transportation services for program access
      Provides fee-based pick-up services from local public and independent schools to support participation in after-school and vacation programs, priced at $360 per semester when paid in cash.
  • Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
    • Operate full-day summer arts programs for children and youth
      Runs award-winning summer programs including full-day art camps for children aged 5–12, featuring rotating art and music classes, weekly field trips to cultural institutions, and student showcases. Expanded Summer Band Factory and full-day programming in recent years to serve a growing number of participants.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.63M
Contributions & grants$333K20%
Program service revenue$1.25M77%
Investment income$6680%
Other revenue$41K
expenses
Total expenses$1.76M
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$1.13M
Grants paid out$97K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$171K
Cash$58K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.88M
Net assets$-1.70M
Liquid reserves0.4 mo
4 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +4.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
PIRUZ PARTOW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $42K
CHRISTINA PLACILLA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $3K
board members · 6
  • ANAND AGNESHWAR — DIRECTOR
  • CATHLEEN MCLAUGHLIN — TREASURER
  • DARYL KLEIMAN — SECRETARY
  • DWIGHT YELLEN — DIRECTOR
  • LAURI BAILEY — DIRECTOR
  • ROB ELDER — CHAIR
relationships · 15

Who they work with

  • Associated Chamber Music Players (ACMP) Partner — Sponsored the Adult Amateur Chamber Music Workshop launched in FY24.
  • Battery Park City Authority Partner — Community partner of Church Street School for Music and Art.
  • Ben Mizer Partner — Sponsored the Open Mic Night event.
  • Copake WineWorks Partner — Sponsored the Open Mic Night event.
  • Department of Youth & Community Development Government — Funder supporting Church Street School for Music and Art.
  • Department of Youth & Community Development Government — Government funder supporting Church Street School programs
  • KeyedUp Partner — Sponsored the Tribeca Jazz Institute Jam Session.
  • Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Partner — Sponsored the Tribeca Jazz Institute Jam Session.
  • Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Government — Funder supporting Church Street School for Music and Art.
  • NYC Department for the Aging Government — Government funder supporting Church Street School programs
  • NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Government — Government funder supporting Church Street School programs
  • NYS Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Government — Funder supporting Church Street School for Music and Art.
  • New York City Council District 1 Government — Funder supporting Church Street School for Music and Art.
  • New York City Council District 1 Government — Government funder supporting Church Street School programs
  • Tribeca Jazz Institute Partner — Co-sponsors the Ken Peplowski Memorial Woodwind Scholarship and Lucio Tomasi Memorial Scholarship.
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.

  • Community-Centered Arts for Personal and Social Connection
    methodology: community-centered_arts_education
    By embedding music and art education within a community-centered environment, the school fosters personal growth, self-expression, and mutual connection because shared creative experiences build belonging and support individual development across ages.
  • Experiential Learning Through Creative Process
    methodology: experiential_learning
    By engaging students in open-ended creation, improvisation, and play, the school fosters empowerment, confidence, and developmental growth because direct, hands-on experience in the arts enables deeper personal and artistic understanding.
  • Therapeutic and Transformative Arts Engagement
    methodology: arts_as_therapy
    By leveraging the transformative and therapeutic power of music and art, the school helps students connect with their authentic creative voice and build self-awareness because creative expression serves as a vehicle for emotional and personal growth, regardless of background or ability.