BK Art Nonprofit Needs New Home After Pivot To Coronavirus Relief

BROOKLYN, NY — A longtime Red Hook nonprofit that expanded its reach to help neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic is searching for a new home.

The Red Hook Arts Project, which has been around for 12 years, announced late last week that it has left its Richard Street outpost and will search for a new, larger space in the neighborhood.

The move comes after the youth art organization — which was already growing before the pandemic — pivoted during the coronavirus crisis to bring not just art classes, but meals, protective equipment and other supplies to the community.

“Covid accelerated what we already had in motion in terms of expanding our space. Our work and the size of the community we serve has expanded so much over the past few years that we needed a bigger space that fits our larger role in the Red Hook community,” Co-Founder and Managing Director Tiffiney Davis said.

When the pandemic hit last year, RHAP didn't just move their visual art, music and academic classes online and send supplies to their students, but began organizing to help Red Hook beyond the classroom.

They have since given away more than $200,000-worth of hot meals, personal protective equipment, diapers and other essential items.

The organization has been working from The Regency on Commerce Street to continue distributing art kits and food since the lease on their former space ended Jan. 15.

They are searching for a larger location with the hopes of moving in this summer, and are looking to fellow Brooklynites to help.

"RHAP hopes the Brooklyn community will help them in their search for the perfect commercial space they need to continue the RHAP mission and get the students back into after school classes as soon as it is safe," they wrote in a release.

RHAP serves 25 to 50 children between the ages of 7 and 18, 90 percent of whom come from low-income families and 95 percent of whom live in low-income housing developments in or near Red Hook.

The nonprofit is also working on creating a template for its mentoring model that can be followed in other communities.

“This past year forced us to reimagine our programming and adapt to urgent needs within our community," RHAP Board President Peter Brock said. "We will emerge from this challenging period a stronger organization, having built new partnerships in Red Hook. Art offers a way of healing, and we are confident that our programs will contribute to the recovery of this community."