Dear Friends,

I was just a kid when I began my artistic education. I studied painting and singing at the High School of Industrial Arts, and while I loved the excitement of venturing into Manhattan everyday for school, my heart has always belonged to the neighborhood of Astoria, Queens where I was born and raised. Not many families in my community felt comfortable sending their children into the big city, and even less wanted them pursuing a career in the arts. While I am very grateful for my experiences, I am also saddened that, because of societal fears and educational budget cuts, so many young people are denied the artistic opportunities I was given. The arts have been integral in shaping my life, and I have always wanted to share my passions with others, especially with those in my hometown of Astoria.

A few years back, I had the privilege of visiting a public school in Chicago that had been established in what was once the location of a rundown, abandoned park. The school had revitalized the area; there were now brightly-painted murals in the place of a vacant, littered lot, and the school's children frequently put on lively performances for the surrounding community. One could truly see how powerfully the arts could be used to transform a community for the better. I was reminded then of my longtime dream for Astoria.

By the time my dream was realized in 2001, it had grown beyond my wildest expectations. Not only were Susan Crow, my co-founder, and I on the verge of opening a public school for the arts in Queens, but we were simultaneously establishing Exploring the Arts, a not-for-profit charity that would serve to support this school and many others throughout the country. While Queens may be home to both myself and my original dream, ETA now lets me spread the gift of an arts education to others. What I treasure most about ETA is its mission to support schools and educators with arts programs that put the arts at the service of the community, valuing art as a tool for change.

I am thrilled with the success that our Frank Sinatra School of the Arts has had thus far, and I continue to dream of creating more schools that will serve their communities and instill in young children a love of their artistic craft. I am proud to be a part of Exploring the Arts as it endeavors to expand its reach to bring the arts to all those who share my passion and are in need of extra support, whether in Astoria, Queens or the larger world beyond!

- Tony Bennett