Leveraging NYC Investments 3.5:1

Visionary City Council Members

We have leveraged $2.4M in NYC Council Investments to raise more than $9M to help eradicate artless education since 2014.

Since 2014, twenty-eight NYC Council Members have provided 152 awards totaling $2.4 Million to help bring Thrive Collective to 250 schools and communities in all five boroughs. To date, Thrive has leveraged these investments to raise more than $9 Million to serve more than 35,000 students by strengthening arts, music, sports, and mentoring programs. In FY24, thirteen Council Members provided 22 awards totaling $366,000.

Current Schools and Community Centers

As of 2023, Thrive Collective serves 200 schools and community centers in 42 of 51 NYC Council districts. Interactive Map.

In FY23, Thrive’s core programs worked with 5,000 students in 65 schools, producing 148 murals totaling over 40,000 sq. ft. of public art; nearly 60 art festivals, ribbon cutting celebrations, assemblies, and basketball tournaments. Overall, Thrive students, artists, and 3,500 volunteers from 120 partner organizations and businesses have served forty-two council districts; completed over 450 murals totaling 150,000 square feet of public art; produced over 300 festivals, assemblies, and events; and much more.

Together, these visionary colleagues are helping Bring Art Back for a renaissance in public education and placemaking citywide.

Tangible Outcomes

Return on Investment

Our project-based learning experiences reset the bar of possibility for all who participate. Our students learn how to develop a shared vision and bring that vision to life collaboratively with others. Tangible outcomes include murals, music, videos, events, festivals, sports leagues and tournaments, mentoring relationships, and transferable life skills essential for thriving. Click the images below to enjoy portfolios of the public art murals students have completed with Council support since FY14. Enjoy original songs and music videos by R.H.Y.M.E. here. Watch student films produced here.

Good News Stories

NYC x Thrive Collective Updates

Culture Making 2022

Thank you, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, for investing in Thrive Collective’s mission to eradicate artless education since 2016. In FY22, our students and artists completed: 93 school and community…

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The Turtle Ship

R.H.Y.M.E x The Point CDC x Bronx Arts Elementary This edition of Books Beats & Bars features Bronx Arts Elementary students rapping their version of the Turtle Ship story inspired by…

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The Cypher

R.H.Y.M.E x LRYOH Harlem NYC youth come together to write and record “The Cypher” In Hip-Hop, there is what’s known as a cypher. It’s where artists physically come together to…

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PS 250K: Extreme Mural Makeover

In Spring 2022, Thrive Collective partnered with PS 250 for a full mural makeover of the front entrance of their building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. After exploring different themes and design…

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