After School

PS 18X: A Better Tomorrow

“A Better Tomorrow” is a project based on the importance of students’ access to activities that inspire and motivate them to go after things they’re passionate about for their future. From a principal’s perspective, Ms. Jordan wanted to emphasize the importance of play and activities the students have at school. Whilst highlighting support and imagination,…

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LRYOH: L.O.V.E. (Love Over Violence Everywhere)

During an after-school program and in partnership with the Soul Saving Station in Harlem, students and Thrive Teaching Artists came together to discuss the hot button topic of “Gun violence,” which hit close to home for more than a few. While there is much to discuss on that topic, we chose to focus on several…

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Beautify NYC East 116th Street: The Inside Look

For this project we teamed up with Ascendant Neighborhood Development to beautify a local apartment building on 116th between Pleasant Ave and 1st Ave through the Beautify NYC Program.  Local youth from the area wanted to focus on showcasing the diversity, beautiful culture and energy of Harlem and Spanish Harlem where the building is located.…

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IS 259 William McKinley School: The Pride of Bay Ridge

The band’s ahead and ready to lead the McKinley fest lineup. From deep, longstanding meanings to fun, colorful play, the students of IS 259 are no strangers to the many festivities around the world. It was amazing to see many share stories and history of the traditions and identities they represent. What a way to…

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PS 6: Celebration Nation

It’s a celebration! 🎭 Gather ‘round the table, room and screens because PS 6 is hosting a festivity for all! As a collective tribute to traditions old and new, students shared memories of their favorite celebratory activities. From fun rides to tender moments with our loved ones, PS 6 reminds of all the forms celebrations…

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IS 117 / TYWLS: Pandemic Reflections

“The Day it All Changed” illustrated zine PANDEMIC REFLECTIONS🪞Nearing a year after the start of the pandemic, a time for reflection seemed more than appropriate for the students at IS117/TYWLS. Thrive artist Abby Walsh led the class in a passage through the looking glass as students created their own characters to fit a class journey.…

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IS 117 / TYWLS: The Day it All Changed

“The Day it All Changed” illustrated zine PANDEMIC REFLECTIONS🪞Nearing a year after the start of the pandemic, a time for reflection seemed more than appropriate for the students at IS117/TYWLS. Thrive artist Abby Walsh led the class in a passage through the looking glass as students created their own characters to fit a class journey.…

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IS 117 / TYWLS: The Importance of Daydreaming

Thanks to the generous support of NYC Council Member Fernando Cabrera, we pooled resources from two NYC agencies to unite both schools at the Joseph Wade Campus in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx to transform their shared, main entrance hallway. The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the NYC Department of Youth and…

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MS/HS 141: A Wrinkle in Time

“Thank you [NYC Council Member Andrew Cohen] so much for the beautiful addition to our school!  Last school year you provided funding so that RKA could partner with Thrive.  The partnership generated a Mural Painting Club for HS and MS students.  The club designed the mural you see in the attached pictures. … “It is massive…

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PS/MS 42Q: Tree of Peace

Thanks to the support of Council Member Donovan Richards and the NYC Council Art a Catalyst for Change initiative, 2020 was our fifth year muraling with students at PS/MS 42Q. COVID-19 delayed — but ultimately could not deter — the transformation of the school auditorium we began in 2019. Here are the previous murals completed…

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