Who We Are
ASTEP was conceived in 2003 by Broadway Musical Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell and a group of Julliard students who were looking for an impactful way to give back to the community. Using the strongest tool they had – their art – they formed ASTEP to deliver arts education programs designed to demonstrate the power of the arts to inspire youth and strengthen communities. Today, ASTEP partners with community organizations and schools in New York, Florida, India and Africa to connect its large base of volunteer artists with underserved youth to deliver arts education programs that build capacity for self-expression, foster creativity, teach life skills and awaken imaginations. ASTEP received its 501c3 status in 2006.
Our Goal
ASTEP believes arts education is critical to children’s academic and social achievement. From improving reading comprehension and literacy to advancing creative thinking, conflict resolution and collaboration, arts education not only bolsters children’s capacity for self-expression, it also has a significant impact on children’s educational and social development.
Our Programs
ASTEP programming is community-focused and research-based. ASTEP uses research-based, nationally accredited standards to recruit and train volunteer artists and create arts education curricula that address the specific social, economic and individual needs of the communities in which we work and the children and families we serve. This focus creates programs that have a visible, direct and lasting impact on children, their families and their communities.
Our Volunteers
ASTEP’s volunteer artists are the key to our success. Armed with rigorous, research-based training, ASTEP’s established and emerging volunteer artists harness their talent and commitment to provide arts programming that centers on exploring the social issues facing underserved youth through a variety of artistic mediums, including drama, dance, visual art, instrumental music and creative writing.
