Casita Maria

Education - at Casita Maria, the transformative power of the arts, embodied in the diverse cultural traditions of hunts point's community, is used to counter the impact of economic disadvantage and diminished aspirations. Casita Maria's programs promote community pride and solidarity, and encourage young people to develop their talents and reach their full potential. In our unique after-school and summer youth programs, over 1,000 k 12 students work with skilled educators and teaching artists to build skills in dance, music, and visual arts while channeling artistic expression into a tool for exploring identity, questioning assumptions, and developing critical academic and social skills.

Arts - Casita Maria's community arts program produces performances and exhibitions that celebrate the bronx neighborhood's legacy as an artistic center that nurtured legendary artists such as the late tito puente (a Casita alumnus) and cultural movements such as hip hop, as well as its ongoing status as a capital of latino culture. Over the last year, approximately 40,000 community members have attended events including gallery exhibitions (which included an exhibition of young Casita artists) and our annual south bronx culture trail festival.