Mary J. Blige Steps UP – Harlem School of the Arts Reopens its Doors Today

The Harlem School of the Arts reopens its doors after a generous donation from Mayor Bloomberg and the NYC Departments Cultural Affairs special fundraising campaign which helped to raise one million dollars for the school.  The school also received a commitment from 9 time Grammy Award winner Mary J. Blige who said she would help to make sure the funds keep coming in.  This donation will allow the school to stay open during its summer program and throughout the rest of the year.  The school was closed down 3 weeks ago due to lack of funding.

The Harlem School of the Arts was founded in 1964 in the basement of the St. James Church by the concert singer Dorothy Maynor who started with a handful of students.  Today it serves over 3,000 students each year most who is black and Latino, teaching them dance, music, theater and visual arts.   Alumni have gone on to some of the best performance high schools in the city and to top-tier colleges and universities like Juilliard. including appearing on Broadway shows and featured films.