ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
ASTEP was conceived by Broadway Musical Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Juilliard students to transform the lives of youth using the most powerful tool they had: their art. Today, ASTEP connects performing and visual artists with underserved youth in the U.S. and around the world to awaken their imaginations, foster critical thinking, and help them break the cycle of poverty.
OUR BELIEFS
WE DEFINE POVERTY AS A LACK OF CHOICE
At ASTEP, we are deeply committed to empowering individuals who suffer from an absence of choice, especially children. The right to choose is a fundamental human right, and we strive to end the poverty that robs us of that humanity. The performing and visual arts create a unique safe space to rediscover choice.
WHY THE ARTS?
ACCESS TO THE ARTS IS ESSENTIAL
TO A CHILD'S SUCCESS
We see every day how access to the arts gives children vital skills that can be used in school and in their personal lives. They become better communicators, build their confidence to participate, and learn how to solve problems by thinking outside the box. Most importantly, the arts show each child that their voice is important.
There is infinite possibility in that belief.
HOW WE WORK
WE PARTNER WITH SCHOOLS
AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ASTEP partners with schools and community organizations that serve vulnerable populations: youth affected by immigration status, homelessness, gun-violence, incarceration, the justice system, HIV/AIDS, systemic poverty, and the caste system. We craft a variety of unique program models that best fit the needs of our partner’s student population, working collaboratively within existent structures. This approach means that we are complementing our partners’ goals, ensuring the needs of the whole child are met. Practically speaking, this means that all ASTEP programs look vastly different from one another.
Through after-school workshops and summer camps, ASTEP Volunteer Artists strive to use the performing and visual arts as a vehicle for teaching students social and emotional and self-regulatory skill sets—each program achieves that mission in various ways and to varying degrees of measured success.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
ASTEP'S ARTISTS ARE THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS
The quality of the artists who volunteer with ASTEP uniquely positions us among other arts education nonprofits. Our Volunteer Artists are highly successful Broadway performers, professional artists, or students and faculty from schools such as Juilliard, offering a variety of disciplines such as dance, visual art, music, and drama. They become transformative role models in the lives of the youth we serve, combining their passion for the arts and their ability to use artistic tools to teach important life skills.
OUR PROGRAMS
U.S.
In NYC and South Florida, ASTEP Volunteer Artists deliver after-school and summer art programs to youth affected by immigration status, homelessness, gun-violence, incarceration, the justice system, HIV/AIDS, and systemic poverty.
INTERNATIONAL
In India and South Africa, ASTEP Volunteer Artists deliver multi-week arts camps to youth affected by the caste system, systemic poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
ASTEP LEADERS
NETWORK
Through ASTEP Chapters, Workshops and the annual Artist as Citizen Conference, ASTEP introduces young artists to the diverse ways they can strengthen their communities and empower individuals through the arts.
GET INVOLVED
ASTEP IS LOOKING FOR PASSIONATE ARTISTS
WHO WANT TO USE THE ARTS
TO TRANSFORM CHILDREN'S LIVES.

OUR BLOG
LATEST NEWS

Rachel Kara Perez’s blog: A reason to laugh, to create, to channel one’s anger, or to express one’s joy.
Posted by Staff

Marcus Crawford Guy’s blog: from the classroom
Posted by Staff

Announcement: 2018 Jennifer Saltzstein Kaffenberger Fellowship Recipients for ASTEP on STAGE!
Posted by Staff

ASTEP & FRIENDS GALA
Posted by Staff
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OUR TEAM

MARY-MITCHELL CAMPBELL
Founder and Co-Executive Director

DAVINIA TROUGHTON
Co-Executive Director

YAZMANY ARBOLEDA
Associate Director of Communications

KATHERINE NOLAN BROWN
Director of Development

SAMANTHA PISTORESI MANFREDI
Manager of Programs

LIZZY RAINER
Director of Programs and Evaluation

ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ
Director of Artist as Citizen Conference

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