named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Artist-in-Residence Program
Partners with professional artists to co-lead mural projects, providing mentorship and skill development for youth participants.
Community Public Art Projects
Collaborative initiative creating 50+ annual public art installations in neighborhoods across New York City to promote civic engagement and beautification.
Youth Mural Program
Annual program engaging nearly 800 underserved youth in designing and painting public murals that reflect community issues and identities.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Community-Engaged Public Art Projects 3 activities
- Community mural projects across New York CityFacilitates collaborative public mural projects throughout NYC in partnership with youth, professional artists, community organizations, and institutions such as NYCHA and Rikers Island. Projects transform neglected spaces, amplify underrepresented voices, and address community issues like street harassment and food justice.
- Large-scale public art production with regional and international reachCreates over 50 public art projects annually, with nearly 500 murals completed across more than 75 neighborhoods in New York City and additional projects in New Mexico, Italy, Greece, and Mexico since 1996. Engages thousands of youth and hundreds of professional artists in the process.
- Youth public art programs with focus on social changeOffers studio-based and apprenticeship programs in public art for youth aged 14 to 21, emphasizing social change, workforce skill development, and community engagement through mural-making. Programs include afterschool, summer jobs, and specialized initiatives for young women and men.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Youth engagement and service statisticsAnnually serves approximately 800 to 1,000 underserved youth (ages 14–24) through public art programs, providing up to 275 hours of program contact time per apprentice and engaging youth from diverse communities across NYC.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$1.37M
Contributions & grants$1.07M78%
Program service revenue$284K21%
Investment income$19K1%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$1.65M
Program expenses73%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$1.06M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$967K
Cash$72K
Investments$121K
Liabilities$136K
Net assets$831K
Liquid reserves1.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -15.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY T AN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (TO 10/23) | 40 | $149K |
| KERRI GAWRYN | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $103K |
| ERICK KONCZYK | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 40 | $90K |
| ROB KRULAK | CO-INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $6K |
board members · 9
- ERIK SCHURINK — VICE PRESIDENT
- JOIE JAGER-HYMAN — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH CHARSZENKO — DIRECTROR
- KEVIN MAILLARD — DIRECTOR
- MATTHEW HOPKINS — DIRECTOR
- NIKKI SULLIVAN — SECRETARY
- RICHARD C MADIGAN — DIRECTOR
- SEENDY FOURON — PRESIDENT
- ZAHIRAH MCNATT — DIRECTOR
relationships · 117
Who they work with
- Altman Foundation Funder — Foundation supporter of Groundswell in fiscal year 2016
- American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Partner — Collaborates with Groundswell on community mural projects
- Arab American Family Support Center Partner — Partner organization in community-based mural initiatives
- Aspirations Diploma Plus High School Partner — Collaborates with Groundswell on youth engagement through public art
- Assembly Member Karim Camara Partner — Government partner supporting community mural projects
- Assembly Member Michael DenDekker Partner — Government partner supporting public art and youth programs
- Bay and Paul Foundations Funder — Foundation supporter of Groundswell in fiscal year 2016
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden Partner — Collaborates with Groundswell on environmental and community art projects
- Brooklyn Community Foundation Funder — Foundation supporter of Groundswell in fiscal year 2016
- Brooklyn Community Foundation Partner — Supports Groundswell’s community mural initiatives
- Brooklyn Delegation of the New York City Council Government — Public funder supporting Groundswell's programs
- Brooklyn Frontiers Partner — Collaborates with Groundswell to engage students in affirming school values and identity through public art
- Brooklyn Museum Partner — Partner in public art and youth arts education programming
- Center for Anti-Violence Education and its Teen Women's Program Partner — Collaborates with Groundswell on youth-focused mural projects promoting safety and empowerment
- Center for Court Innovation Partner — Advisory relationship supporting community-based approaches to justice and public art.
- Center for Court Innovation Partner — Partners with Groundswell on restorative justice and public art initiatives
- Center for Family Life (CFL) Partner — Collaborates on youth development and community-based art programs
- Chicago Public Art Group Partner — Collaborative relationship in public art and mural creation.
- Chinese American Planning Council Partner — Partner in community mural projects serving Chinese American communities
- Christie’s Funder — Corporate supporter of Groundswell in fiscal year 2016
- City of Newark Government — Municipal partner in public art and youth engagement initiatives
- City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Partner — Completed a Mural Apprenticeship and continues to freelance with the program.
- City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Partner — Provided mural apprenticeship opportunity for Groundswell-affiliated artist, leading to ongoing freelance contributions.
- Coalition School for Social Change Partner — Collaborates with Groundswell on socially engaged mural projects
- Colgate Scaffolding Funder — Corporate supporter of Groundswell in fiscal year 2016
- Common Sense Fund Funder — Foundation supporter of Groundswell in fiscal year 2016
- Con Edison Funder — Corporate supporter of Groundswell in fiscal year 2016
- Construction Risk Partners Funder — Corporate supporter of Groundswell in fiscal year 2016
- Council Member Brad Lander Partner — Local elected official collaborating on public art initiatives
- Council Member Julissa Ferreras Partner — Local government partner in public art and youth programming
+ 87 more
strategies · 4
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.
- Art as Social Justice Advocacymethodology: art-for-social-justiceBy creating public murals focused on social justice themes, we produce awareness and dialogue about systemic inequities because visual storytelling in shared spaces makes invisible issues visible and prompts public engagement.
- Art for Social Change through Youth Engagementmethodology: art-for-social-changeBy engaging youth in collaborative public art, we produce personal development and community transformation because creative participation fosters agency, skill-building, and inclusion among marginalized populations.
- Community-Driven Narrative and Designmethodology: community-responsive design revisionBy using oral histories and community feedback in mural development, we produce locally rooted public art because grounding creative content in lived experience ensures relevance, ownership, and sustained community impact.
- Culturally Affirming Public Artmethodology: culturally-affirming-public-artBy integrating cultural, gender, and community identity into public murals, we produce social validation and community pride because representation in public space reinforces belonging and counters historical erasure of marginalized voices.