In 1992 ABACA was formed. In that year five arts organizations (Artists Space, The Drawing Center, Thread Waxing Space, Art in General and The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council) joined forces with Satellite Academy to provide a range of culturally diverse arts education experiences for urban youth, in particular "at risk" public school students who have had little experience with galleries, museums, theaters, etc. Over the last 15 years ABACA has make possible for our students to curate visual art exhibitions throughout Manhattan, and to create award winning video documentaries. 

 

 ABACA works with high school students, particularly Satellite Academy’s young adults, exposing them to the significant art resources and the cultural environment of New York City, a new experience for them. These teenagers often find the art and culture available for them in the city’s art institutions as intimidating, distant and detached to their own daily lives. ABACA provides the students with the experience and tools to have a significant interaction with this unfamiliar universe, by having experienced artists as educators, bringing professional art experts to the school, and partnering with well known art institutions like Artists Space, Art in General and apex art for the implementation of our courses and activities.

 

Satellite Academy is an alternative public high school created to help young people who have not been successful in traditional New York City public high schools, or are returning to study after a long absence, Satellite Academy is a “last chance” school. Founded in 1979 the school is comprised of 200 students, approximately 60% of them are African American and 40% Latino; 80% of the kids are eligible for free lunch. Satellite Academy works with disenfranchised students from all five boroughs.