The Arthur Miller Foundation is dedicated to providing access and equity to quality theater education in New York City public schools, and to increasing the number of students that receive a dedicated theater education as an integral part of their academic curriculum. We believe that arts education is a right of every public school student, and it is our intent to communicate that belief. As an organization, we affirm that if arts education assumes its rightful place in the public school curriculum, we will foster generations of imaginative graduates, enhancing the evolving world of theater and all other fields of human endeavor.
We accomplish this mission by providing resources, professional development, mentorship, and peer support to certified theater teachers in public schools. Our programs enrich students’ educational experience by enabling them to attend professional theater productions and learn from professional teaching artists from highly esteemed cultural institutions. We also aim to put more theater teachers in public schools by offering current public school teachers scholarships toward their theater teaching certification.
New York City is the theater capital of the United States. Yet, when our program began in 2015, approximately 10% of NYC public schools had a certified theater teacher. Since then, that percentage has grown to nearly 20%, thanks to the New York City Department of Education's Office of Arts and Special Projects (NYC DOE OASP). While the NYC DOE is making significant strides, together we must continue moving the needle to reach our goal. It will take all of us to get there – our government, communities, corporations, small businesses, school administrations, artists, teachers, parents, and you.
