Testimonials

Dignitaries and Renowed Artists

"Since 1977, LeAp has conducted academically-focued arts programs in New York City's public schools and has fostered creativity, imagination, and an understanding of process, demonstrating that art contributes significantly to learning and student achievement."
David A. Paterson
Governor, New York

"LeAp’s Public Art Program nurtures our students’ artistic talents while providing an extraordinary opportunity for young people to share their views on important social issues with the entire New York City community.” said NYC Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein. “We expect all of our schools to offer students rich and rigorous arts instruction, but it is through partnerships with outstanding organizations like LeAp that our schools are able to provide world-class arts programs that allow students to take advantage of the unparalleled cultural resources of this City and to meet and work with renowned artists like Christo and Chuck Close."
Joel I. Klein
NYC Schools Chancellor

"We are proud to be part of the LeAp's Public Art Program, which gives our young people an opportunity to speak out on the important issues affecting their communities. This program provides a great platform for us to hear what the future generations have to say."
Dennis M. Walcott
NYC Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development

"Once again New York City’s school children will become the city’s youngest public artists this summer, thanks to the efforts of LeAp. There is no better place to kick off this annual, socially-minded exhibit than in Union Square Park, where New Yorkers have been broadcasting their ideas for over a century. The students’ thought provoking artwork is sure to enliven the city’s parks and raise awareness on the issues that are most important to them."
Adrian Benepe
NYC Parks & Recreation Commissioner

“LeAp is the only arts agency to have the courage to do a scientific study of the efficacy of their literacy program to see if it works, and it does.”
James Liebman
NYCDOE’s Officer in Charge of Accountability

"LeAp is a wonderful New York organization that Jeanne-Claude and I have been proud to be involved in for many years. It is important for young students to learn about the arts, and we have always appreciated LeAp's hands-on and personal approach to education."
Christo
Artist

Students, Teachers, and Principals

“The program enhances teachers’ practice while motivating students to become engaged in active learning. The combination of ELA instruction, field trips and art projects contributes significantly to comprehension and retention. Additionally, the program has helped to integrate ELA into other areas of curriculum, most notably science and social studies. The entire program, from the abilities and knowledge of our teaching artist to the teacher professional development at NYU, was advantageous to both my personal practice and my students' academic achievement.”
Second-grade teacher
Public School 188 in Manhattan

“The strengths of the program are the different approaches to introducing and teaching literacy skills and exciting lessons that students love. They don't know they are learning because they are having fun. I am using LeAp lessons on my own to interest the students and make learning fun.”
Kindergarten teacher
Public School 19 in Queens

“This program has helped me to create even more excitement about learning. It has made the instruction more creative, and has helped my students to retain important information from the units of study.”
Third-grade teacher
Public School 169 in Brooklyn

“LeAp’s Public Art Program took our students out of their comfort zone for art experiences and transported them to a new level. My students were involved and committed to creating a piece of work which would not only tell a story but represent the feelings of our student body.”
Principal
Intermediate School 51 in Staten Island

“LeAp is the best thing to happen in NYC public schools.”
Kindergarten teacher
VOICE Charter School

“I think this program enhances and reinforces comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills. All the students are able to participate successfully. I have used the ideas in my classroom.”
Second-grade teacher
Public School 19 in Brooklyn

“The professional development workshops have been extremely helpful and insightful. It was nice to see what other teachers were applying in their classrooms. I was really inspired to present a lot of these projects on my own.”
Second-grade teacher
Public School 16 in Queens

“The strengths of the program are the new approaches to literacy, the field trips, the in-class workshops, and the PDs at NYU and on-site locations.”
Elementary school teacher
Public School 1 in the Bronx

“The students' artistic and social skills were much better at the conclusion of the program. They learned to work together, respect each other’s feelings and ideas, and also become more aware of their own talents and capabilities.”
Administrator, Public School 82 in Queens

“The students developed a broad variety of art skills. The children's vocabulary, math skills, reading skills, oral expression, and social skills were developed through the variety of lessons.”
Administrator
Public School 4 in Staten Island

“There are wonderful ideas for implementing art and games into learning literacy. I learned a lot from observing what activities engaged the students. I learned more creative ways of teaching various reading strategies.”
First-grade teacher
Public School 66 in the Bronx

“The children learned how to think about reading more critically and how to analyze poems more thoroughly. My students are more engaged in reading and social studies. They are less inhibited to take academic risks and they are able to apply what they've learned.”
Fifth-grade teacher
Public School 131 in Queens

“This program taught me that there are no limitations to what I can do. I now see myself as a playwright in the making.”
High school student
Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts

“My favorite part of LeAp is that we have fun while learning.”
Elementary school student
charter school

“I found out that I have a level of maturity I never knew I had, and I was surprised that I was good at getting into a character that was completely opposite of who I am. I learned about how August Wilson used the problems of the decades to write such powerful pieces and I understand better how the struggles of African Americans have changed, yet stay the same.”
High school student
Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts

“This awoke a passion in me and inspired me to follow a dream which many might doubt.”
High school student
Long Island City High School

“I learned I could express myself through art about violence, and that there was different ways violence can hurt people.”
Elementary school student
Public School 82 in Queens

"This [Public Art] project took our students out of their comfort zone for art experiences and transported them to a new level. Our students did a great job expressing their feelings and demonstrated a maturity we don't often see with adolescents. The fact that their work is on display for the summer gives them an enormous sense of pride."
Principal

“With this program [Public Art} and project, I can have a voice and speak up for not only myself but my community and what I stand for.”
Student

“It will make me happy knowing that thousands of people are going to see the table this summer in the park. I want them to think that adults are not the only people dealing with this [the issues] kids are too.”
Student

I feel that the students at Union Square saw the power of the tables as political statements.”
Teacher

“It [Public Art] gave them the opportunity to think through issues of their own…it also helped them articulate some of their ideas and think about solutions.”
Teacher