Welcome to Youth Arts Forum!
Youth Arts Forum (YAF) is a not-for-profit 501c3 charity organization founded in 1990. Youth Arts Forum was formed as an alternative to the decline of the more formal school art and music programs that were being eliminated at the time, and continues to be eliminated in even greater numbers today. YAF provides talented young artists and performers with a healthy and engaging outlet that allows them to express their creativity in art and musical performances. YAF aims to provide a vehicle to “unite the youth of the world through the arts”.
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YAF supports its visual and performing artists to help them express themselves, enhance self esteem, and keep their personal dreams alive. This unique and exciting arrangement provides young artists’ a national and international venue that is exclusively dedicated the young artist and his or her work.
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For the performing artist, YAF has held many “Kids Helping Kids, Rock for a Cure” concerts in New York City, New Jersey, Vermont and at 32 Simon Malls. Concert locations in New York City have included The Studio at Webster Hall, Arlene’s Grocery, National Underground, Slate, the Beekman Beer Garden and the Bitter End as well as The Stone Pony in New Jersey and many more locations up and down the East Coast. YAF pays for the venues, marketing, advertising and production. When possible, YAF helps to pay for travel and lodging of many of the young performing artists who participate in our concerts.
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For the visual artist, YAF distributes arts supplies to those who may not be able to afford them. YAF collects and frames for display much of the artwork received from its members. The organization has supported numerous gallery shows designed to professionally display and support young artists from across the country. Several of these shows were held in the prestigious NOHO Art Gallery on Mercer Street in New York City. The artwork is also displayed on our award-winning website.
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Merchandise and Donations:
Youth Arts Forum works with national and local charity organizations including the Food Bank for New York City, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York, County Harvest and T.J.’s Friends, and donates a portion of all proceeds. As of June 2012, Youth Arts Forum has partnered with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is planning several upcoming events in partnership with this organization.
In addition, we have established relationships with major retailers like Amazon and Queensboro Clothing to offer great deals. A percentage of these sales go back to Youth Arts Forum to help fund the work we do for young visual and performing artists.
Youth Arts Forum is accepting donations to help fund future concerts, artist sponsorships and productions, framing and displays, as well as all expenses that are associated with supporting and producing the talents of the young artist.
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Please click the donate button to make a donation.
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How to Join Youth Arts Forum:
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All artists and musician 18 years old and younger from U.S. and all over the world are invited to join Youth Arts Forum. To join free. Members can post videos, pictures and blog information, etc. It is a great way to get the word out about your craft.
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Welcome to Youth Arts Forum!
Barry Salottolo, Founder
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Youth Arts Forum has accomplished many exciting and worthwhile things over the years. Here is a list of some of them
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Benefit charity concerts
East 13th Street Theater NYC
Bitter End NYC
Studio at Webster Hall NYC
National Underground NYC
Arlene’s Grocery NYC
Slate NYC
Festival at New Rochelle Wildcliff Sculputre Garden
Festival at Wartburg Assisted Living Home
32 Simon Malls Maryland to Rhode Island
Stone Pony New Jersey
Rutland Diamond Mall Vermont
West Rutland Theatre Vermont
And various smaller venues in the Tri State area
Visual Artists Gallery Shows
Mt Vernon Schools
Greenburg Schools
Leak and Watts School
Various retail stores throughout the tri state area
Noho Gallery NYC
And various smaller outlets in the tristate area
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Donations of monies and promoting awareness for the following charities/organizations
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Big Brothers big Sisters of NY
Food Bank for NY
Westchester Harvest
TJ Martle Foundation
TJ’ Friends
Feed the Homeless NYC
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Vermont Town Chamber of Commerce
Purchasing art and musical supplies, when I can, for kids who are less fortunate than others.