Exploring the Arts (ETA) is a nonprofit founded in 1999 by legendary American singer and painter Tony Bennett and his wife Susan Benedetto, a former public school teacher, with a mission to transform the lives of young people through arts education. ETA currently serves a roster of 56 Partner Schools throughout New York and Los Angeles – all public high schools, a majority holding Title I designation.
The Lang Arts Scholars program welcomes a cohort of 15 students each year from our New York City network of ETA Partner Schools to participate in free, after-school training in one artistic discipline (instrumental or vocal music, dance, and theatre), coupled with Saturday sessions meeting once a month for college prep and career readiness support. Students apply in 9th grade and make a three-year commitment to the program 10th-12th grade. There are two summer programs that are part of Lang Arts Scholars: after 10th grade, an arts intensive at NYU Tisch, and after 11th grade, a paid mentorship program where students can work with an audition coach or an arts industry professional to build on their skills.
Previous and current partners for ETA’s Lang Arts Scholars include The Paul Taylor School, Mark Morris Dance Group, Martha Graham Dance Company for dance, Third Street Music School, Greenwich House Music School for music (instrumental and vocal), and Classic Stage Company, Broadway Bound Kids, and The Barrow Group for theatre.