WHO WE ARE
CITYKIDS’ INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING AND PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT IN THE FIELDS OF POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING FOR THE PAST THREE DECADES; PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL GROWTH AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, WE HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHANNEL THAT GROWTH INTO SUBSTANTIAL SOCIAL CHANGE.
KEITH HARING’S “CITYKIDS SPEAK ON LIBERTY” MASTERPIECE
In 1986, to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, the late Keith Haring and 1000 CityKids worked together in true Haring style to create a “one of a kind” original piece of art depicting the Statue of Liberty called “CityKids Speak on Liberty”. This symbolic work of art is the largest Keith Haring piece ever created, spanning 90ft high by 30ft wide and features over 1000 messages from the kids about what Liberty means to them.
This symbolic work of art is the largest Keith Haring piece ever created, spanning 90ft high by 30ft wide and features over 1000 messages from the kids about what Liberty means to them.
Here is an excerpt from a recent BBC / PBS Documentary ‘Keith Haring: Street Art Boy’ featuring the CityKids and the Keith Haring Masterpiece.
TO DONATE AND SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE CITYKIDS FOUNDATION
Paypal: donations@citykids.com
Chase Quickpay or Zelle: donations@citykids.com
HOW WE STARTED
Founded by Laurie Meadoff in 1985, The CityKids Foundation has established and maintained cutting edge youth development programs, training tens of thousands of diverse young people, by providing opportunities for personal growth, leadership, and artistic expression. Laurie was inspired to create CityKids after a visit to the Albany Empire in London, a social services and arts program for London’s youth. The CityKids Foundation’s innovative programming, and projects, have been in the forefront in fields of Positive Youth Development, and Social Emotional Learning, for the past three decades. CityKids helps young people channel that growth into substantial social change, and we continue to empower, engage, connect, and inspire young people to skillfully lift their voices and be heard.
EAST VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE
Opened in 2018, The East Village Playhouse is a black box theatre space that is the home base of CityKids and the heart of the Foundation. In this space, we have produced shows, musical performances, anti-bullying workshops, panels, and training for TedxTeen talks. Our work in the East Village Playhouse has been featured in the New York Times, The Daily Mail and other publications.