Hope Academy of Music and the Arts
East Liberty Presbyterian Church’s Arts Education Outreach Program
Our Mission
Our goal at Hope Academy is to make arts education more affordable and accessible - and not a matter of privilege. We believe that in the process of making art, something mysterious and profoundly beautiful happens—a blossoming that begins when a young person glimpses who they are meant to be. Because it is through the arts that we come to know others and ourselves in the fullness of our humanity.
Our History
Founded in 1999 by East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Hope Academy of Music and the Arts was established as a mission and ministry to provide access to quality dance, theater, and music training for families who may not have the means to do so. Since then, Hope Academy has remained steadfast in its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive artistic community that fosters the personal and artistic growth of both students and teaching artists alike.
Our Partners
The community problem we address is the lack of opportunity for underserved youth to participate in the arts due to limited family resources and cutbacks in arts programming in schools. The strength and uniqueness of our programming is derived from the partnerships we have developed with some of the city’s finest artists and cultural organizations. Our 2023-2025 partnerships include: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Guardians of Sound / Hip Hop Orchestra, Shana Simmons Dance, Chamber Music Pittsburgh, UniSound and The Greater Pittsburgh Suzuki Institute.
Our Program
Our sequential and progressive program allows children and youth to develop skills in working together towards a common artistic goal, building a sense of community and acceptance among peers from all walks of life. Our program provides deep arts instruction and instills in our students a concern for social justice and peacemaking, and a capacity to use their voices to speak out against oppression.
Our Commitment to Accessibility and Diversity
To intentionally serve a greater number of African American, Black, Indigenous, and low-income students, Hope Academy reserves all of its scholarships and at least half of the available spots in classes and private lessons for students who meet these identity and/or financial need requirements.
We recognize that diversity and individual uniqueness bring vitality to our artistic work. Therefore, we recruit students from across the spectrums of race, ethnicity, culture, linguistic background, sexual orientation, gender, religion, personal style, appearance, and ability, as well as people of diverse opinions, perspectives, lifestyles, ideas, and thinking.
Over 80% of our students receive some form of financial assistance. Even tuition-paying families are subsidized, as our below-market tuition covers only a portion of our operating costs. We expect that families who value being part of a diverse community will make whatever donations they can to help us fulfill our mission.
Our Impact and Resilience
Pre-pandemic, Hope Academy impacted the lives of more than 400 children and their families each year, offering students the opportunity to discover hidden skills and talents and build self-esteem in a supportive, caring environment. Even through the challenges of the pandemic, we have remained dedicated to our mission of contributing to the positive growth and cultural vibrancy of our community, providing a safe and supportive environment for students of all backgrounds to thrive and grow.
Support Our Mission
Your contributions help make the arts more affordable and accessible, fostering a community where every child can experience the profound beauty of artistic discovery. By supporting Hope Academy, you help bring the transformative power of the arts to young people, regardless of their background or circumstance.
Families can make donations through the Family Portal by selecting the menu option for GIVE ♥️ and choosing the amount they would like to donate. Or by sending a check to Hope Academy at ELPC, 116 S. Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Please make the check out to “ELPC” and in the memo portion of the check, write “Hope Academy Donation.”