MISSION

NYC Salt’s mission is to engage, inspire, and empower youth from underserved, predominantly immigrant communities in New York City to reach their full potential and develop a sense of agency, belonging, and integrated identity through the lens of a camera. We achieve this through multi-year, rigorous, sequential photography and video instruction taught by artists and industry professionals combined with individualized mentoring, college preparation and guidance, career exploration, employment opportunities and vocational training.

NYC SALT creates opportunities in visual arts and pathways to college and career for underserved New York City youth from diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to careers in the arts, by engaging them in a rigorous blend of professional photography instruction, college-preparatory workshops, and career exposure.  Our goal is to help student artists build advanced visual arts skills and the determination, confidence, and grit they need to succeed in college and future careers.

HISTORY

NYC Salt started in 2008 as a 501c3 nonprofit. We grew out of a small after‐school photography class in Washington Heights offered by Executive Director Alicia Hansen, a professional photographer with over 24 years of experience. Alicia understood that photography and an understanding of the visual industry could be a catalyst to expand life possibilities for underserved youth through exposure to the arts, digital technology, academic preparation, and access to professional networks. The organization was officially launched in 2008 and has grown and thrived over the last eleven years. NYC Salt now serves 150 youth annually—in our own studio, as well as in schools and community centers—year-round.

Using high-end, professional photography equipment, top instructors in their field and extremely dedicated mentors combined with college preparation, our students have gained the skills and confidence to pursue a higher education and career. We hold students to high standards of professionalism and excellence as we provide them the tools for success—personal, academic, and professional.