Mission Statement

Art for Change is an organization that provides a forum for creating
innovative art and media programs that inspire people to take an active role in social justice.

Core Values

• Create collaborations in the community
• Inspire solidarity among people
• Encourage diversity by transcending gender, religion, race,
  ethnicity, sexual preference
• Provide safe and open forums for positive dialogue
• Pursue social and economic justice

What is Art for Change?

Art for Change (AfC) encourages the advancement of progressive social change by using art as a catalyst for disseminating information to people. We provide space to discuss and explore that information, stimulating individual and collective reflection, which leads to action and change.

Art is our tool and our common ground – by building a bridge between communities and artists we can help to articulate experiences, struggles and aspirations, inspiring people to consider, with a questioning eye, their ways of life, their environment, their roles, how various systems work, and ways to improve their lives and environment.

By providing equal access to information and involvement, we encourage active participation while building community. By focusing on artistic expression, we play a key role in maintaining cultural traditions, respect and appreciation for the diversity of cultures in New York City. We are an asset to our community; providing space for other organizations, artists and activists to congregate, rehearse, network and interact with the community of East Harlem.

History of AfC

On March 2, 2000, Eliana founded Art for Change (AfC) on the streets of New York City with a group of extraordinary artists, activists and supporters who have been committed to building better communities through the arts. Each believes that art is central to the enrichment of the human experience and shared culture.

In the beginning, without a home and with limited funds AfC was built by consistently relying on the power of collaboration. The staff and volunteers found creative ways to maximize all available resources. They offered their skills and were willing to acquire new ones; they learned together. Through partnerships with organizations, (among them; El Taller Boricua and The Lower East Side Tenement Museum) AfC received in-kind support space for many of its early programs. Inspired by the success in building alliances, AfC continues to forge partnerships with other organizations that share a vision of distributing the wealth of art to communities.

Today, thanks to Carlitos Café and Galería and their generous in-kind donation of space, AfC staff is able to maintain the current programs and look forward to developing new ones. With Carlitos, AfC’s has evolved into a movement of individuals committed to creating a platform that expresses a shared vision. Today, the passion, self-determination, and sacrifices of staff and volunteers assure AfC’s growth.