ArtSmart has received a local impact grant from NBC10, Telemundo62, and Comcast NBCUniversal totaling $34,315.72.

ArtSmart provides tuition-free music lessons and mentorship by paid, professional artists to youth in under-resourced communities across the U.S.. The music mentorship framework is designed to “provide youth a pathway to academic, economic, and emotional stability by harnessing the proven cognitive and social-emotional benefits of these opportunities.” ArtSmart aims to equip its students with the tools and meaningful relationships critical to their creative and personal growth.

Co-founded by Michael Fabiano and John Viscardi in 2016, ArtSmart has now served over 980 students. The non-profit operates in 33 Title 1 schools across seven US cities. 92% of its students attend Title 1 schools. ArtSmart has provided over 42,000 free music lessons to students across the United States. 88% of ArtSmart students identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color, and 43% of students identify as LGBTQ+.

The competitive grant challenge provides unrestricted funding to eligible nonprofits that provide vital support to Philadelphia-area communities in the categories of youth education and empowerment, next-generation storytellers, and community engagement. The 2024 application period for eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits began March 19 and concluded April 19.

The participating organizations have awarded more than $227,000 to eight local nonprofit organizations through the 2024 Since 2018, NBC10 and Telemundo62 have now provided more than $1.5 million to 51 local nonprofits through the grant program.

Danielle Bavli is the grant writer for ArtSmart.