NeON Arts is a project of the Neighborhood Opportunity Network that offers young people in New York City the chance to explore the arts through projects in a variety of disciplines, including dance, music, theater, visual arts, poetry, and digital media. Carnegie Hall currently has an application for the Spring round of the NeON Arts grant, applications close February 7th. To make sure potential applicants and enthusiasts understand the history and goals of the initiative, we sat down with Carnegie Hall’s education team to learn more. Apply today for your chance to win $15K and push the culture.

How would you describe the NeON Arts program to someone who is hearing about it for the first time?

But, instead of businesses pitches to investors, it begins with artists pitching their offerings to the community stakeholders.

Local art organizations or individual artists pitch their programs to community stakeholders with $15k in funding on the line. These stakeholder groups include anyone who cares about the community, most importantly, the young people. The program is a collaboration between Carnegie Hall and The Department of Probation (DOP) which offers young people in seven New York City communities the chance to explore the arts through a variety of creative projects.

The target age is 16-24 and it is open to all young people. Neither DOP or Carnegie Hall dictates the programming that comes into NeON communities—that’s all decided by stakeholders. Speaking of, those seven communities are: Bed-Stuy, East NY, Brownsville, Harlem, South Bronx, Jamaica and Staten Island.

NeON Arts is designed to be for the community, by the community. All 501(c)3’s and individual artists are eligible for the grant; locals are encouraged to apply. 

can you describe the types of arts initiatives have been previously awarded ?

Any type of art is eligible for the grant and we’ve had a wide variety of programs in recent years. A few examples are virtual/augmented reality, audio engineering, and the culinary arts. there have also been traditional programs like dance, poetry & visual arts programs that received our grant funding. 

NeON Arts takes place in the seven identified communities in three 3-month cycles, Fall, Spring and Summer. Each community selects at least one program per cycle —in the past, communities have even fostered agreements for groups to split the grant. 

How long has this program been in existence/ how long have you all been working with the Department of Probation on this program?

NeON Arts actually began as a writing workshop in the South Bronx back in 2014.

What are some of the venues that these programs take place today?

To understand NeON Arts, you must understand the NeON. The Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) is a physical place. IT is a probation office and community enrichment center.

It provides resources for the community, including but not limited to food, clothing, education and sports programming. The duality of the NeON allows it to serve a multitude of purposes and take a holistic approach with the community. That said, all workshops don’t take place at the NeON. Depending on what stakeholders decide, workshops can occur at the local Police Athletic League, church, or school within the community. Really, anywhere in the community that welcomes art!

When do the programs normally take place, can any teens attend?

The location varies based on stakeholder’s decision. The number one determining factor is—what days and times best serve young people in the neighborhood.  Any young person in NYC, can attend any NeON Arts workshop. 

What are you looking forward to most about this season's cycle of applications and programming?

Anytime the application opens it welcomes a diverse pool of applicants. So, we’re always excited about new applicants and the innovation that takes place as people figure how to best serve their communities. The culminating events are always cool as well, each program has a final showcase that enables the young people to present their work amongst friends and family.

What are you most proud of about as it pertains to work on this program?

A favorite success story involves a young person who went from being a participant in a NeON Arts workshop to working here at Carnegie Hall on NeON Arts.

He directly supports the program and works on other education programs here at the Hall. Hopefully he will be running NeON Arts one day.

Tell us more about your favorite programs or success stories since working with Carnegie Hall?

NeON Arts encourages pathways, once you’ve learned a new skill, how can you transfer it and apply it and possibly support yourself? We’re always excited about unique programs that expose young people to the arts while providing entrepreneurship opportunities or the ability to turn their new skills into a career opportunity.

Carnegie Hall is a cultural partner of The Culture LP, CLP Group, LLC. For more information on the NeON Arts program please e-mail: NeONArts@carnegiehall.org, or visit their FAQ page here. To become a cultural partner with our company email michael@theculturelp.com