About Us
School
Art Lab is a 501c3 non-profit art school located on the property of Snug Harbor Cultural Center. Art Lab offers four semesters of classes and workshops throughout the year – the year consists of 4 semesters broken up as such: Winter, Spring, Fall (10 consecutive weeks long) and Summer (8 consecutive weeks long).
Our classes provide art instruction and appreciation for students of all ages, beginners to advanced levels. It is a valued member of New York’s arts and educational community and is a vital part of the cultural life of Staten Island.
Mission
Art Lab’s purpose is to offer Staten Island the best possible and most professional independent school of fine and applied art, and to bring knowledge and appreciation of artistic excellence to the metropolitan community through regular classes, exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, and lectures.
To this end, our goals are:
To enable artists to refine the skills necessary for art-related careers.
To assist non-professional artists of all ages to develop their talents to the highest levels of skill and enjoyment.
To help young adults bridge the transition from secondary school to professional standing.
To develop scholarship programs to insure that students may nurture and use their talents regardless of economic limitations.
To collaborate with other cultural and educational organizations in programming that will expand Art Lab’s ability to serve the multi-cultural community while maintaining the integrity of its overall objectives.
History
In 1975, Art Lab opened in a converted factory building on Norwood Avenue, in the Clifton section of Staten Island. Art Lab thus became Staten Island’s first cooperative arts-related teaching facility, and offered workshops and exhibition resources for artists of all levels of experience.
As Art Lab grew, the organization was restructured and moved to a larger and more visible headquarters at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. Enthusiastically welcomed by the Harbor as “exactly the kind of thing we are looking for,” Art Lab expanded its faculty and curriculum, and undertook a building renovation project at the new site.
In the 1960’s Art Lab’s current facility, Building H, was used as the infirmary for Sailors’ Snug Harbor. For more information about Snug Harbor Cultural Center, please visit their website at www.snug-harbor.org
