10 Days of Giving Back: Red Hook Art Project
Nov 25, 2024 brooklyn,charity,giving,giving tuesday,new york,red hook
As part of our celebration of the holidays — and as a thank you to the larger community that supports us all year long — Realty Collective is proud to feature the work of key non-profit organizations making the borough (and beyond) better every day. We’ve selected 10 non-profits to highlight and we encourage everyone to learn a bit about their respective missions and, if possible, to join us in making a small monetary donation to further their work. We thank them for everything they do and thank you for supporting a small, woman-owned Brooklyn business for nearly 20 years.
Red Hook Art Project (RHAP) is one of those magical organizations that is about art education, yes, but it’s really about so much more. We’ll get back to the art in a moment, if you’ll allow us a short digression.
RHAP brings together dozens of volunteers who commit time each week to provide education and mentorship in free, high-quality, small-group art programs to Red Hook youth. 95% of the program’s students are living in or near low-income public housing in Red Hook. Children from ages 7 to 18 can come to RHAP’s Van Brunt storefront to receive homework help, adult support, and free music and art lessons.
And that art education goes far beyond craft projects (though those are fun) to really build young artists, focusing on 9 core values, including those that go beyond materials or skill instruction. Children are encouraged to “dedicate yourself to your gifts,” “communicate honestly,” and to “be patient,” all essential elements of being an artist. RHAP wants students to grow their own art practice and set reasonable but challenging self-directed goals that allow them to move through the ranks of the program at their own pace. RHAP’s thoughtful and rigorous programming includes portfolio prep, an education in design principles, the opportunity to explore a variety of media, and so much more.
To learn more about Red Hook Art Project is to be inspired. If you need a bit of that, we recommend starting here. If you’re ready to join us in supporting their mission, you can donate, volunteer, or check out their upcoming events here.