Transforming Lives Through Music Mentorship

ArtSmart is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of youth in under-resourced communities across the US through tuition-free music lessons and mentorship, by paid professional artists.
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Through weekly one-to-one and small-group music mentorship sessions during the school day, the Maria Manetti Shrem Mentors engage student passion, create meaningful relationships, and develop transferable life skills that set students up for success academically and personally.

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Why Artsmart
Access
ArtSmart offers 100% free, high-quality music lessons, giving under-resourced students access to quality arts education they couldn’t otherwise afford.
Empowerment
Music mentorship empowers youth to develop talents, boost confidence, foster growth, and build skills like goal setting, discipline, and teamwork.
Mentorship
Professional artist mentors offer guidance and inspiration, fostering trust, belonging, and community through one-to-one relationships.
Well Being
Music heals, uplifts, and provides solace. ArtSmart’s music mentorship helps youth cope with stress, build resilience, and find inspiration.
Academic Success
Music mentorship cultivates talent, enhances cognitive abilities, improves focus, and develops critical thinking.
Breaking Barriers
ArtSmart fosters diversity by engaging under-resourced youth, breaking barriers to arts education, and amplifying voices from all backgrounds.
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Measuring Impact

Our longitudinal study published in June 2023 shows the ArtSmart music mentorship program has a causal impact on the social and emotional well being of our students.

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See Our Impact
90%
Who We Serve
90% of ArtSmart Students identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color, while 55% of students come from an English Language Learning background. A majority attend Title I Schools where at least 40% of students are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch.
100%
Increased Confidence
ArtSmart students experience a 100% increase in their belief that they are talented.
59%
Meaningful Connections
The number of ArtSmart students who have an adult they can talk to when they feel stressed or are having problems increased by 59%.
93%
Plans to Attend College
93% of ArtSmart students plan to attend college, trending above the comparison group at 71% and national average of 74% (June 2023).
Locations
Adirondacks
New York
Chicago
Illinois
Newark & Jersey City
New Jersey
New York City
New York
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
San Francisco
California
Seattle
Washington
Bring ArtSmart to Your Community
Don’t see your city or school listed? Let’s chat to see how we can bring ArtSmart to your community.

LATEST ARTSMART NEWS

Explore the latest updates, inspiring stories, and achievements from ArtSmart as we empower the next generation through music and mentorship.

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ArtSmart on NPR’s All Things Considered
Nonprofit trains young singers in Philadelphia and beyond
Keep Reading
ArtSmart Student is a 2025 YoungArts Winner
Feb 10
Luz Velázquez wins the Gold Award in Jazz Voice, receiving a prize of $10,000.
Annual Report 2024
Dec 18
Turning Vision Into Impact, One Student at a Time
William Penn Foundation Awards $300,000 Grant to ArtSmart
Dec 17
The William Penn Foundation recently awarded a $300,000 grant to ArtSmart for its Music Mentorship Programs in Greater Philadelphia.
ArtSmart Receives NBCUniversal Local Impact Grant
Aug 22
NBC10, Telemundo62 and Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation Award $227,000 in Unrestricted Grants to Eight Local Nonprofits.
SUCCESS
Abner and Isabella’s Story
Follow the story of two ArtSmart students, now alumni, from ArtSmart’s 2016 pilot program in Newark, New Jersey.
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Haley’s Story

ArtSmart provided Haley a space to express herself and expand her skills, leading her to pursue vocal performance and music business in college.

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Fatima’s Story

Hear how Fatima learned to have more grace with herself through the learning process and stresses of life, helping her through the first semester at Yale.

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Meet Our Mentors!

The Maria Manetti Shrem Mentors are central to the ArtSmart mission. Meet the talented and passionate professional musicians who tirelessly work at the local level to mentor our students.

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