Summer 2023

We’re hiring!

NYC Kids Project is seeking a new Teaching Artist to join our team for the upcoming school year. Applications accepted through August 12th.

See the posting below and email anne.nyckp@gmail.com to apply!

https://playbill.com/job/teaching-artist-swing/f7f66221-064f-419c-98a8-01922c08f351

Spring 2022

Welcome new team members!

In January we welcomed two new faces to the NYC Kids Project team - Anne Karyna Bakan and Jennica Carmona. Anne takes on some of the behind-the-scenes work as our Adminstrative and Development Coordinator and Jennica will take on our Making Friends programs as a new teaching artist collaborator.

Head to our Staff page to learn more about them!

Fall 2021

We presented a special back-to-school puppet show at the Museum of the City of New York, in conjunction with the Museum’s exhibit Puppets of New York. The exhibit explores the extraordinary history of NYC's quirkiest residents. Our puppet friend Renaldo Rodriguez was on display as well as other familiar puppet friends (think: Oscar the Grouch) and new puppets!

Summer 2021

Our FIRST in-person puppet program took place in July at the wonderful Mt Vernon Boys and Girls Club.

Spring 2021

We pivoted:  students in schools all over the city participated in our programs virtually!  We presented a specially created virtual puppet show and conducted two storytelling/puppetry workshops.  These programs were funded by grants from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the NYC Department of Education.

Spring 2020

Disney VoluntEARS

We were selected out of dozens of applicants to participate in the Disney VoluntEARS Skills-Based Marathon.  We’ll be spending the day, virtually, with executives from Disney who volunteer their time for this yearly event.  They’ll help us plan strategically for new forms of programming as we move forward towards the next school year.

Fall 2019 – Winter 2020

Residencies

We were thrilled to work on two residencies through the NYC Department of Education, creating puppet shows with second and third graders, at, respectively, PS 124 in Manhattan’s Chinatown and the Arbor School in Brooklyn.

The students learned storytelling techniques, worked on script-writing, and created original puppet characters.   There were final performances in Fall 2019 at PS 124 of the wonderful stories they created, where settings ranged from outer space to the interior of a dragon.  Unfortunately, Arbor School’s residency was cut short by the Covid19 pandemic, but we are planning to return there in school year 2020-2021.

Spring 2019

Spring Fling Benefit & Auction

On April 17th we held the 2019 edition of our annual Spring Fling Benefit & Auction. It was an evening filled with good food, good drinks, and most of all good people. We’d like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our supporters and sponsors for not only making this years event possible, but also a huge success.

 Summer 2018

Kids Project at the Cooper Hewitt!

We performed and designed a special project to support the Cooper Hewitt’s "Mornings at the Museum.” This program is very dear to our hearts in that it provides early access for individuals with cognitive and sensory processing difficulties and their families.

P.S. don’t miss these great exhibitions: DESIGN+ABILITY and THE SENSES: DESIGN BEYOND VISION. 

Winter 2018

NYC Kids Project Visits the Cooper Hewitt Museum

After attending a symposium on universally accessible design at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, we brought Renaldo back for a visit to the Access + Ability show there.  The objects on display range from computers you command with your eyes to a three-wheeled wheelchair for rough terrain (he couldn’t wait to tell Mark about that one!)  to really cool decorative prosthetic covers.  Most exciting for Renaldo were accessories that were wearable navigation systems - voice-controlled guides - for people who are blind like him.  And, in case you’re wondering how Renaldo got to experience the show, there are verbal description docent-led tours - and even a few objects you’re allowed to touch! 

 For more information on accessibility for visitors visit

https://www.cooperhewitt.org/accessibility-at-cooper-hewitt/

Fall 2017

NYC Kids Project Creates Puppets in Chinatown

PS 124, one of our longest-term supporters, was the host for our first Department of Education Arts and Family engagement grant.  For six weeks we worked with first graders and their parents on puppetry, storytelling, acting skills, and script writing.  Parent and student teams created short puppet shows focusing on friendship and acceptance, and presented them at a final presentation/party. 

Spring 2017

NYC Kids Project Brought Live Puppet Show to Elizabeth St. Garden

We performed a free puppet show at Elizabeth Street Garden for kids addressing disability issues and bullying. Thank you for Elizabeth Street Garden and all the parents, friends and kids who joined us to make it a very special afternoon. Click here for more details of the event.

Spring 2016

Thank All of You for Making our Spring Fling Benefit a Huge Success! 

NYC Kids Project successfully hosted our 2nd Annual  Spring Fling Benefit in May, and we are still basking in the glow! Over 75 people participated in the event, and the night was buzzing with both new and old friends. Our guests enjoyed delicious food from El Luchador, the new NYC KP  film featuring Commissioner Victor Calise of the Mayor’s Office, and a live puppet show.

We received tremendous support for the Spring Fling.  Thanks to all of our supporters , We raised 40% above our projected goal and 25% above last years goal.  We'd like to thank the Edwin Gould Foundation for donating their lovely space, and Whole Foods Tribeca, Zucker's Bagels, and Pushcart Coffee for donating sweets and treats.  The silent auction created excitement with items ranging from trips to jewelry to art. Thanks go out to our generous auction item donors. And lastly , we wouldn't  have succeeded without our tireless, dedicated  volunteers. 

As the summer approaches and our school season comes to an end, we want to wish all our supporters a wonderful summer with family and friends.

If you are interested in further supporting us and our mission of respect and inclusion for all, sponsor our next event or offer any donations, please feel free to contact us at info@nyckidsproject.org

Summer 2015

Check out our video on your cab ride in New York! 

The NYC Kids Project had a Public Service Announcement (PSA) running in NYC taxis in June and July in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities act. Thank you to Victor Calise, the Commissioner of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities who set the wheels in motion for this! The PSA will run again in early September as the school year starts up again so keep that TV on next time you are on a cab ride in the city!

July 10, 2015

PIX 11 Morning News Channel -
How to be a better negotiator at work - and at home by Kirstin Cole 

NYC Kids Project's director, Cecilia Arana, was featured in PIX 11 Morning News, sharing stories of how she learned to be a great negotiator through fund raising for her non-profit, NYC Kids Project. Check out the news video and full article here.

Photo Source: PIX 11

Moments like this can't be staged.

Renaldo and Mark, two Kids Project puppets, were performing a scene at PS51 on West 44th Street. After the show, one third grader, Amr, who uses a wheelchair, made a bee-line for Mark, who also uses a wheelchair. It was a magical moment as Amr proceeded to ask if he could please meet Mark and reached out for a handshake. All Amr's classmates gathered around for their handshake moment and a lively impromptu sharing of mutual wheelchair commonality began.

This is just one among hundreds of examples of how Mark, Renaldo and all the kids project puppet friends spark opportunities for conversation about disabilities and inclusion in a school setting.

July 5, 2015

Tribeca Trib - Two Puppeteers on a Mission: 'It's OK to Be Different' by Carl Glassman

Two of NYC Kids Project's outstanding performers, Mindy Pfeffer and Cecilia Arana, were featured in Tribeca Trib's July issuance for their educational puppet show at the Peck Slip School and a powerful message they sent to the kindergartners, "it's OK to be different". Check out the full article here.

Photo Source: Tribeca Trib