The Harlem School of the Arts


Harlem School of the Arts is an art school at 645 St. Nicholas Avenue in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. Its mission is "to enrich the lives of children and their families in the Harlem community and beyond, through exposure to and instruction in the arts."
It was founded in 1964 by soprano Dorothy Maynor, who was succeeded by mezzo-soprano Betty Allen as President in 1979 when a new 37,000 square foot facility designed by Ulrich Franzen was completed. Other Presidents include Allicia Adams, Camille Akjeu, and Daryl Durham. Since August 2015, the President and CEO has been Eric G. Pryor, was named.
In 2005, the school was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Despite the Great Recession of 2010, the Harlem School of the Arts stabilized its fiscal position following a $6 million gift.
The school offers courses in four disciplines; music, theatre, visual arts, and dance. Courses in music include classical, jazz, gospel, R & B, electronic and world music. Dance courses including ballet, modern, ethnic, jazz, and tap dance. In addition to theater classes, the visual art department offers courses which include sculpture, and photography. The school's students are of diverse cultural backgrounds, and tuition is relatively inexpensive in contrast to similar educational institutions in the United States. HSA provides financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis through the generous donations on the Herb Alpert Foundation and other generous benefactors.

Early history

In 1964, internationally acclaimed concert soprano Dorothy Maynor, brought a gift to Harlem; her fervent belief that world-class training in the arts stimulates the child, strengthens the family and gives pride of ownership to a community. She opened Harlem School of the Arts in the basement of the St. James Presbyterian Church in Harlem at a time when the community suffered severe physical blight, high levels of poverty, and few cultural resources for its young people. From toddlers to adults, the students who came through its doors developed an invaluable sense of purpose and focus, whether or not they pursued profession careers in the arts. The school received rave reviews, and was featured in the May 1966 issue of Ebony Magazine.
In May 1979, under the leadership of Maynor's handpicked successor, opera singer Betty Allen, HSA opened its state-of-the-art 37,000 square foot, award-winning facility nestled at the base of the historic Hamilton Heights. Along with the Studio Museum in Harlem, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Apollo Theater, HSA became one of the pioneering cultural institutions whose robust presence uptown became a linchpin of Harlem's renewal.

Notable alumni

Over the past 25 years, HSA alumni have experienced near 100% acceptance rate to prestigious high schools, colleges, universities and conservatories, including Berklee College of Music, Wesleyan University, New York University, Hofstra, SUNY Purchase, American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Fordham University, Hunter College High School, The Ailey School, and Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.