Courtney J. Boddie is the VP of Education and School Engagement at the New Victory Theater. In 2019, TYA/USA awarded her with the TYA Community Impact Award for her leadership in New Victory SPARK (Schools with the Performing Arts Reach Kids), a robust multi-year arts program that has transformed New York City school communities previously underserved in the arts. Russell Granet is President & CEO of New 42. Under his leadership, New 42 expanded its virtual presentations and educator resources, including fully subsidized arts education for NYC public schools and the highly successful curriculum series, New Victory Arts Break. Among numerous honors, Granet was recently named by Crain’s New York as a 2020 Notable LGBTQ Executive.

In this episode, Erik speaks with Courtney and Russell about the New Victory Theater’s Spark Change research, quantifying the positive impact of performing arts education on kids. They discuss why early exposure to arts education fosters a lasting love for the arts, builds interpersonal skills, encourages innovation, and builds hope for the future in young people. They also share their insight into the New Victory is creating opportunities for access to the arts in the schools that need it most.