ARTS AMBASSADORS

WHAT WE DO

The Arts Ambassadors Program (A2) is an initiative that trains Newark parents and caregivers from all wards and backgrounds to act as the arts education organizers and ‘HUB’ of their local community, as well as champions for increased Arts Education in their children's schools.

Over the course of six months, our Ambassadors engage in both in-person and virtual classes with experts on different social topics within Arts Education, while partnering with Mentors who assist them in developing a topic that will become an ongoing advocacy project.

Topics include:

Issues/Systems in Arts Education & Public Education
Inclusion and Agency: Students with Special Needs/LGBTQIA Students & Pronouns
Arts Ed Advocacy Tools
Building an ongoing peer learning community

We provide a safe educational space, a warm meal, childcare and a stipend at the end of the program.

Omayra Molina speaks to the Parent Ambassadors on Action in Advocacy

OUR PARENT LEADERS

Class of 2025 with other A2 alumni

WHY THIS WORK MATTERS

“The value this program has had in my life is unmeasurable. I met new friends and like minded peers. I gain the confidence to properly advocate for my child. I learned how to find and read a school budget, what questions to ask and who to ask them to when trying to resolve a problem that pertains to my child's education. I also was able to create a project for a cause I believe in with my peers that could really help my community.” --parent ambassador

“This program has shown me what it is to be able to speak out and be able to sit in a room full of other educated people and feel empowered.” --"parent ambassador"