Arts Building Community Breakthrough New Orleans

May 11 to June 19, 2017

Dedicated to educational equity and excellence for all children, Breakthrough New Orleans aims to foster a love of learning and strengthen core academic skills, helping at-risk students reach their full potential – placing them on the path towards college. Established in 1990, Breakthrough New Orleans (BTNOLA) continues to respond to the ongoing need for high-quality supplementary educational services for New Orleans public school students. BTNOLA prepares high potential middle-school students with limited resources for rigorous academic experiences in high schools and colleges, while inspiring bright high school and college students to become educators and advocates for education. This “Students Teaching Students” model at Isidore Newman School is a tuition-free, year-round program that pairs underserved middle school students with enthusiastic young teachers.

New York artists Brandon Friend and Jason Douglas Griffin, collectively known as Gentleman’s Game, Newcomb Art Museum’s Tom Friel, Coordinator for Interpretation & Public Engagement, and New Orleans ceramicist Rachael DePauw, all shared their creative vision and expertise with the BTNOLA students and inspired the artwork created for this exhibition.