Rush Arts Wants to Change Kids' Lives Forever

Meridith McNeal, director of education for Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation (Rush Arts), wants to inspire the kids of Bed-Stuy and beyond to scream a thousand words from the rooftops. But she wants to show them how to do it through art.

Rush Arts was founded in 1995 by Danny Simmons, Russell Simmons, and Joseph (Rev. Run) Simmons. It's goal is to provide access to art and art education to those who would not typically have it. McNeal heads up the eduction portion of the foundation.

McNeal, believes that access to art is critical for people to become well rounded. "Art is an essential part of being a human being," she explains. Rush Arts helps this process along through four major programs.

The first two are Rush Kids and Rush Teens. This program offers intensive art education to Kids (ages 9 to 14) or Teens (ages 15 and up) that express a desire to learn. McNeal says that this year, classes are focused around the theme of "food."

For example, next Tuesday, on July 12th, Rush Kids and Teens will take a tour of the Hattie Carthan Community Garden on the corner of Marcy and Lafayette Avenues. Then on July 21st, at on Classon and Greene Avenues, the kids will be selling lemonade from a cart that's been customized by Don Lampert, a professional artist who crafts carts with artistic messages.

"This program is unique because of its intensive nature," said McNeal. "This is a small, very focused group of kids who come from all sorts of different places. We keep enrollment at only 15, because it provides a more powerful experience; these kids won't get a class this small in school."

Shaquanda Merrill, a 15-year-old Rush Teen, agreed: "Rush Education Programs have a way of bringing out the best in all of us," she said.

The next major program from Rush Arts is Rush Schools. When kids take part in this program, they create tiny art galleries within partnering schools. The kids are responsible for everything, from giving tours to writing a gallery brochure. They take it very seriously, said McNeal.

Rush Exchange and Special Programs is the fourth major program. This includes exchanging art with kids from other countries, or taking those enrolled in Rush Arts to the opera.

Any person is eligible to apply for enrollment in Rush Arts' offerings, but there is limited space. McNeal explained that by giving kids access to art and giving them a place to discuss art, it changes who they are in the world. And that, in turn, empowers them.

McNeal told a story of Seth Novick, an 11-year-old Rush Kid, and his experience of attending an opera for the first time.

"This is a kid who never stops moving, never stops talking," began McNeal. "So after the opera, we're talking about it, because we discuss everything that we do afterward. 

"And this kid shoots his hand in the air, like 'oooh, ooh!' I call on him and he's suddenly completely silent. Then he looks up and says, 'My life has changed.'"