Our organization

Mission
ARTS By The People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to establish, operate, promote, and conduct educational programs, opportunities, classes, and sessions in the creative arts for the public.

Our goal is to empower individuals through collaborative acts of self-expression
We believe that self-awareness and communication come forth in shared creative acts and that the arts offer universal benefits for people of all ages and backgrounds. Exposure through a diverse range of creative mediums can reach individuals and build communities of small interest groups or generate intergenerational connections. It is our belief that the arts can also bridge communities of different experiences to strengthen understanding, collaboration and acceptance of all peoples. Our programs are run by talented teaching artists who are experts in their fields. With public support, we are able to keep our programs free for our participants. We believe that the arts should be available and accessible to all.

ARTS In Health
In 2025 we launched our ARTS in Health initiative. Defined by the National Organization for Arts in Health as “dedicated to using the power of the arts to enhance health and well-being in diverse institutional and community contexts.” Our initiative brings the arts into community settings, including but not limited to Veterans and their families, Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Grief Workshops, Mental Health, Older Adult Communities, Food Insecurity and At Risk Communities, with a focus on aesthetics, creative engagement and using the arts for healing and social interaction.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) Policy
ARTS By The People respects, values and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that our strength lies in our diversity and among the broad range of the people of New Jersey and communities we represent. We consider diversity and inclusion a driver of institutional excellence and seek out diversity of participation, thought and action. It is our aim, therefore, that our board members, partners, key stakeholders and supporters reflect and embrace these core values.

We do not promote or have any tolerance for any racist, hateful, violent or other discriminatory expression, and make every attempt to promote and showcase art and ideas that continually expand personal and social consciousness.

We offer over 80 monthly classes, events and workshops at various locations
including studios, public schools, universities, bookstores, coffee shops, charter schools, libraries, drop-in centers, older adult communities, and on-line. We also publish an on-line arts journal called Platform Review, and help promote opportunities and establish a platform for early career writers, performers and visual artists with stARTup.