Welcome to Imagine Syracuse!

Join the fight to give all children equal access to arts and enrichment!

“…The child must know he is a miracle, That since the beginning of the world There hasn't been, And until the end of the world There will not be, Another child like him.”

Imagine Syracuse provides free after-school arts and enrichment to more than 150 children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old in the Near Westside neighborhood-- the 9th poorest census tract in the COUNTRY.

Between school budget cuts and no proximity to enrichment in the neighborhood, children who grow up here have had little or no access to the kinds of creative and life-affirming opportunities afforded suburban children. Until now.

An established resource for neighborhood programs, Imagine Syracuse provides hands-on experiences and workshops in the visual and performing arts, dance, poetry, music and career exploration. In exchange, our children gain a sense of accomplishment, develop positive life skills, and inspire hope in the struggling community around them.

We are proud of what we have accomplished as a community of volunteers, families, children and caring professionals. We have seen the power of dance, painting, sculpture, music, poetry and art empower children to find their own voice, establish their own form of creative self-expression, increase their own confidence and use it to change their lives. As a result, their families, their schools and the community around them are richer, more vibrant and more inspiring.

Our goal: to capitalize on existing community and personal assets in this vibrant neighborhood, bolstering their efforts to provide an impermeable net of positive support and innovative programming for school-age children.

Imagine Syracuse currently offers programming in the following areas:

Above: The finale of our 6-part Summer Artist Series at the Zen Center featured a workshop with drummer Etse Nyadedzor.

Top photo: Imagine Syracuse students took a tour of the local news station, talked with the meteorologist about a career in weather reporting, and got to practice being on camera!

Below: Our Vincent House Team Adventure CNY trip.

Meet our kids!

Rajier, Age 10
Favorite Activity: Drawing
Favorite Color: Blue

“I like Imagine Syracuse because the volunteers are really nice and I always have fun.”

Breayle, Age 10
Favorite Activity: Jenga
Favorite Color: Pink

“My favorite thing about Imagine Syracuse is that I am learning French!”

Calvin, Age 12
Favorite Activity: Basketball
Favorite Color: Red

“I like going to Imagine Syracuse because I can hang out with friends after school.”

For more information, contact:
Jessie Keating
jessie.keating@imaginesyracuse.com
315.243.6204