Marquis Studios was founded by David Marquis in 1977, as a nonprofit dedicated to both theatrical performances and arts education. The theatrical performances toured the United States and internationally, highlighting issues around gender and economic politics, as well as issues facing children. In 1992, bringing the arts into schools became the organization’s sole mission. David served as Executive Director until he passed away in November 2017.
Marquis Studios is a multi-disciplinary arts education nonprofit that inspires a passion for learning by bringing the arts into New York City public schools. Our staff of 80 experienced Teaching Artists provides a full spectrum of arts experiences to over 140 schools each year, serving 25,000 students across all 5 boroughs of NYC. We strive to make learning a positive experience for every child regardless of income or ability. By building strong partnerships between Teaching Artists and educators, we enable students to reach their full potential.
Over the last 48 years, Marquis Studios has served over 640,000 students, 35,000 teachers and 27,000 parents in schools throughout NYC. We are especially proud of our commitment to serving students regardless of income or ability: of the 25,000 students served each year, 75% are economically disadvantaged and 34% have a disability.