ABOUT US

Marquis Studios is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing arts-­in­‐education services to 150 New York City public schools annually. We strive to develop a strong partnership between artists and teachers by providing arts programs to supplement traditional classroom teaching techniques. Each residency or workshop focuses on a specific visual or performing arts discipline selected by school staff and administration.

Founded in 1977, Marquis Studios has served over 460,000 students, 26,000 teachers and 15,000 parents at schools throughout New York City. Working with a diverse population, 80% of programs serve students living at or below the poverty line with over 50% of all grant-funded programming serving classrooms containing with disabilities.

Marquis Studios Offers:

  • Core curriculum programming consisting of ten-­week arts residencies taught by our staff of trained Teaching Artists.
  • A full spectrum of arts residencies that encourage student exploration of visual arts, theatre, music, dance architecture, circus arts and puppetry.
  • Custom designed programs to meet the educational goals set by the school through collaboration with Marquis Studios and classroom teachers.
  • Programs that address New York State Learning Standards, both in the arts and academic areas.
  • Professional development for classroom teachers to provide arts education techniques and concepts that can be brought back to the classroom.
  • Parent/Child Workshops that help parents understand the connection between arts and academics while providing a fun, hands­‐on experience parents and children can share.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Marquis Studios administrative staff is comprised of thirteen employees with occasional help from interns and volunteers.

  • Amy Appleton

    Director of Education

    Amy Appleton received her BA in Studio Art and Spanish from Muhlenberg College and her MA in Community Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Amy has over 10 years of experience as a visual arts teaching artist with youth and families in schools, fine arts studios, community centers, playgrounds, and faith-based organizations. In NYC, she worked with the Center for Arts Education, Free Arts NYC, and currently writes and leads tours for families at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through Curious Minds Tours. Amy has worked in the education departments of multiple urban arts non-profits: ArtsQuest in Bethlehem, PA; the Creative Alliance in Baltimore, MD where she served a year in AmeriCorps; CITYarts in NYC, and Free Arts NYC where she spent 5 years developing programs for youth and leading professional development workshops for arts mentors and instructors. She is also a musician and performs in the NY Flute Club’s Ensemble Program and the Trinity Handbell Choir in Astoria. Amy has been a lifelong advocate for arts education and is excited to join the team at Marquis Studios in 2016.

    amy.appleton@marquisstudios.org

  • Justin Daniel

    Professional Development Specialist

    Justin Daniel is a New York City based theatre artist and educator.

     

    As the Professional Development Specialist at Marquis Studios, Justin works with a dynamic ensemble of Teaching Artists to foster best practices and innovations as the field of arts education continues to expand.  As a Teaching Artist, Justin maintains longterm partnerships with The New Victory Theatre, Disney Theatricals, Opening Act NY, and Classic Stage Company, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the NYC Arts In Education Roundtable.

     

    Justin’s performance credits span theatre, film, and television including NBC’s Ed, Comedy Central’s Strangers With Candy, Robert DeNiro’s The Good Shepherd, numerous stage credits across the country, and is a recipient of the Backstage Bistro Award for his solo performance work.  Justin is a member of Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild.

     

    Justin holds a BA in Directing and Education for Theatre from the CUNY Baccalaureate program and a Masters in Educational Theatre from New York University. Justin lives in Brooklyn with his husband and two children.

     

  • Maya Singh

    Director of Professional Development

    Maya Turner Singh has been a member of the Arts Education community in New York City since 2005. She has worked extensively as a teaching artist and theatre practitioner for many organizations across the New York Metro area including, TADA! Youth Theater, The Park Avenue Armory and The New Jersey Performing Arts Center. She has authored several arts education curriculum for the IDA school in Gurgaon, India and Global Partners Junior (an organization founded by former Mayor Bloomberg). Maya is also a founding member of Global Empowerment Theatre (GET), a grass-roots Educational Theatre organization that brings English literacy and Gender equity through theatre workshops to under-privileged students internationally. Maya currently serves as GET’s Project Director for GETIndia. Maya is a member of the Teaching Artist Affairs Committee for the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable. Prior to joining Marquis Studios as Education Manager in 2015, Maya served as the Education Programs Manager at TADA! Youth Theater. Maya is thrilled to continue to serve Marquis Studios’ mission as Director of Professional Development. Maya holds a BA in Liberal Arts The New School and an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU.

    Maya@marquisstudios.org