It’s rare that you come across a nonprofit with all the ingredients to make for a perfect cause – music, education, community, and the ability to deliver and make good on its promise to effect change. Art for Progress is that kind of organization. With its Clash of the Artists competition in its second year, Art for Progress reaches out to NYC to serve up music with its heart in the right place.

Arts in Education	Arts in Education

The Art For Progress site sums it up: “Imagine taking part in a truly innovative multi-disciplinary global competition like no other. In “Clash of the Artists”, emerging artists from around the globe unite online to unearth the greatest talent in the visual arts, live music, fashion design, short film, DJ and, for the true progressives of the avant-garde world, we have a category that we lovingly like to call “creative.” Artists gain global exposure for their work online while supporting arts education in New York City. The competition culminates with a finals event held in New York City in March 2008, where 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be determined by the guest audience.”

Art for Progress had a banner year. They launched an Arts Education Program a year ago and subsequently had an impact on children's lives across New York City. With workshops and programs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, they received a boost in April when NBC 's Visione's program featured their eight-week after-school program at the Roberto Clemente School. The segment led to new opportunities, and now AFP is a registered vendor with the NYC Department of Education. In 2008, AFP will be working closely with public schools to develop elective courses and curriculum in the arts. The ambitious program focuses on reinforcing core subjects through the arts and humanities.

Art For Progress’ current roster includes seventy-five artists in five disciplines. In 2007 AFP produced seven events, exhibitions, and performances including Clash of the Artists, Dossier: Ronald Akkerman, The Art of Design, Shorts and Beats, Ascension and A New Spirit of Progress. 2008 promises to surpass the activity of the year in review with health care and grants for education on the agenda for artists, and continued activities and workshops for NYC public schools.

For a video about Clash of the Artists, log onto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Gnn1N3zCo

For more information about Art for Progress, log onto: www.artforprogress.org