Summer Arts Institute

The Summer Arts Institute (SAI) is a tuition-free, month-long summer arts intensive program, serving NYC public school students entering grades 8 through 12. This public-private partnership, hosted by Frank Sinatra School of the Arts with the support of key arts leaders, including Tony Bennett, was designed to increase access to advanced arts training to prepare students for college and career success in the arts. Now in its 18th year, SAI continues to provide approximately 400 students the opportunity to study dance, theater, vocal music, instrumental music, visual art, or film.

Student feedback from summer 2018 was universally positive, and suggests that SAI is having a positive impact on participating students: 83% of program participants noting that they grew creatively as artists, and 75% noting that they learned new information regarding community and cultural resources. Going forward, SAI will continue to provide a high-quality, rigorous, and culturally relevant arts programming to students of all five boroughs, free of charge.

Generous funding has been provided by: ASCAP Foundation, Con Edison, Exploring the Arts, Find Your Light Foundation, Harkness Foundation for Dance, HBO, Lisa and Richard Plepler, Jerold Ross, and the Fund for Public Schools.