Eric G. Pryor Named President Of The Harlem School Of The Arts
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 30, 2015 -- The Harlem School of the Arts’ (HSA) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Eric G. Pryor as the organization’s President. He will assume his new position at HSA on August 1—leading one of New York City’s pioneering arts institutions in its mission to enrich the lives of young people and their families through world-class training and exposure to the arts.
“We are incredibly excited to have such an accomplished leader assume the leadership of the Harlem School of the Arts, especially as we enter into our 50th year of serving the New York community,” said Charles J. Hamilton, Jr. Esq., Chairman of the HSA Board of Directors. “We are confident that Eric will continue to build on the remarkable growth we have experienced over the past few years and expand access to the highest quality arts training in the city.”
Pryor is a seasoned arts executive with over 20 years’ experience as a staunch leader and outspoken advocate for nonprofit arts organizations. Since 2012, he served as Executive Director of The Center for Arts Education (CAE), a New York City-based non-profit that works through school and community programs, professional development, parent engagement and advocacy to ensure all public school students receive a well-rounded education that includes the arts.
Under his leadership, CAE strengthened its position as a provider of programs and professional development, and as a nationally recognized advocate and thought leader in the practice of evidence-based arts education. Most notably, the organization’s advocacy efforts helped spur the de Blasio administration to invest $92 million over four years to expand access to arts education citywide.
“I have long been a supporter of the Harlem School of the Arts and the incredible work that they’re doing to expose young people to the arts through their extensive programs,” said Pryor. “I am very excited to join the team and look forward to working with the board and the staff to guide the organization through the next phase of its illustrious history.”
Pryor began his arts career as Executive Director of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation’s Center for Arts and Culture (CAC) in Brooklyn and also served as the Executive Director of the New Jersey State Museum and President of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (VAC). Pryor is a graduate of Tyler School of Art, Temple University (MFA) and Wayne State University (BFA, Painting). He also completed Columbia University Graduate School of Business’ Leadership Program for Nonprofit Leaders.
HSA annually serves nearly 4,000 young people from across the greater New York Metro area onsite at HSA’s Herb Alpert Center in Harlem, and offsite through its arts education programs in the city’s public and charter schools and community centers. Over the past three years, the school has experienced remarkable growth which includes the restoration of the school’s financial endowment, an increase in enrollment, and a $6 million leadership gift from legendary musician and philanthropist Herb Alpert – for whom HSA renamed its iconic Harlem home in March 2013.
Pryor replaces former President and Chief Executive Officer, Yvette L. Campbell, who left HSA in June when she relocated to United Arab Emirates with her family.
About Harlem School of the Arts
For nearly a half century, the Harlem School of the Arts has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of young people through world-class training in the arts. HSA’s mission empowers young people from under-served communities in Harlem and throughout the city to find and develop the artist and citizen within themselves. HSA’s environment teaches discipline, stimulates creativity, builds self-confidence and adds a dimension of beauty to the lives of each student.
HSA stands apart among the premier arts institutions in New York City, as the sole provider of quality arts education in four distinct disciplines—music, dance, theatre and visual arts. HSA boasts an impressive alumni base of Tony-award winning actors, celebrated operatic voices and jazz musicians, visual artists, dancers, and inspired citizens who cite HSA as the platform from which they launched careers in law, business and other professional fields. HSA believes that all children deserve access to a quality arts education, empowering them to become the creative thinkers and innovative leaders of tomorrow. For more information about Harlem School for the Arts, visit http://www.HSAnyc.org.
Gabrielle M. Lee
g.lee(at)sunshinesachs(dot)com, 212.691.2800
Tonya Bell
bell(at)sunshinesachs(dot)com, 212.691.2800
David Escobar-Cambay, C4 Global Communications, http://www.c4global.com, +1 310 899 2727, [email protected]
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