Free School Supplies, Kids Art Supplies For Teachers In NYC At Materials For The Arts Warehouse
MATERIALS FOR THE ARTS KICKS OFF ANNUAL “BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING SPREE,” PROVIDING FREE SUPPLIES TO NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
Throughout September, MFTA encourages teachers to stock up with supplies—all at no cost—as students return to the classroom
Queens, NY – Materials for the Arts (MFTA) – a program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the city’s premier creative reuse center for arts nonprofits, public schools, and city agencies – is welcoming NYC Public School teachers across the five boroughs for MFTA’s annual Back to School Shopping Spree. Educators across all subject areas are invited to MFTA’s massive, 35,000-square-foot warehouse in Long Island City to “shop” (free of charge) from a wide array of donated materials as they begin the school year. Educators have access to everything from basics like paper, office supplies, notebooks, chalk boards, and craft items to more unique MFTA finds like vintage post cards, fabric, buttons, beads, mannequins, and film and television props. Teachers from MFTA’s 1,800+ member schools can schedule their Back to School Shopping Spree appointments on MFTA’s website. If a school isn’t yet a member of MFTA – now is a great time to join!
“As our city’s educators prepare to teach and inspire the next generation, Materials for the Arts stands ready to support them with this back-to-school bonanza of free supplies to fuel creativity in the classroom,” said NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “Our administration is deeply committed to building a more affordable, sustainable, and equitable New York City and MFTA’s annual Back to School Shopping Spree is a powerful example of that commitment in action. We’re giving teachers the resources they need to spark imagination and creativity for every student, in every classroom. So NYC educators: join us at the MFTA warehouse for this year’s Back to School Shopping Spree!!”
“As we kick off another exciting school year, programs like Materials for the Arts are essential for our students,” said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “Arts education plays a vital role in helping young people express themselves and grow creatively, both inside and outside the classroom. Thank you to our partners at the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs for their continued support and advocacy on behalf of our children.”
“At Materials for the Arts, we’re proud to support NYC public school educators as they gear up for the new school year, and all year long,” said MFTA Executive Director Tara Sansone. “MFTA’s resources and programs geared toward educators also go far beyond providing free supplies. We’re especially excited to relaunch MFTA After Hours: Late Night Teacher Shopping, a monthly evening event offering extended hours for busy teachers, while also providing live demonstrations led by MFTA staff of what educators can do with these materials in their classrooms. We also encourage teachers to explore our professional development courses, where they can earn P-Credits and CTLE hours while learning to incorporate sustainability and creative reuse into their classrooms. Whether you’re shopping for supplies, seeking new ideas, or looking to grow as an educator, MFTA is here to support you every step of the way.”
This school year also marks the return of the monthly MFTA After Hours: Late Night Teacher Shopping program. Launched 2023, the late night shopping program extends MFTA’s hours until 7:00 PM on a monthly basis to accommodate the schedules of educators who might not be able to visit the warehouse during regular hours. This school year, MFTA After Hours will begin on Thursday, September 11 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and will welcome teachers with live demonstrations of creative reuse projects including envelope books, file folder puppets, and reuse textile weaving. The American Folk Art Museum will be donating nearly 2,000 fable illustration books to MFTA that teachers will be available to teachers during the evening. Composition books donated by local Brooklyn-based stationary store, Mr. Boddington’s Studio, will also be available. Late night teacher shopping will continue on the first Thursday of every month through June 2025.
MFTA’s next round of professional development courses are also starting in September. These courses allow teachers to earn P-Credits and CTLE hours to enhance their qualifications and salary potential. These courses empower educators to integrate creative reuse, art, and interactive, sustainable projects into their lesson plans across all subjects. MFTA’s fall P-Credit Course Paper Pulp to Fiction begins Saturday, September 27. In partnership with the NYC Public Schools Arts Office, MFTA will also host a professional development workshop for art teachers on Staten Island at Snug Harbor on Monday, September 29.
MFTA also encourages educators to use the new MFTA Sustainability Curriculum Guide designed for K-12 educators eager to nurture the next generation of eco-conscious leaders. Developed by the MFTA Education Center in partnership with Deutsche Bank, the guide includes real-world narratives, to age-appropriate resources, and a range of media to ignite a passion for championing a better, greener world.
9/9 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
9/11 – 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM (MFTA After Hours – Late Night Teacher Shopping, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
9/16 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
9/18 – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
9/23 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
9/25 – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
9/30 – 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
MFTA will distribute nearly 2,000 copies of the American Folk Art Museum’s publication Fables across Time: Kalila and Dimna. Courtesy MFTA.
Chalk Boards – Photo courtesy of MFTA
NYC Department Of Cultural Affairs
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is the largest municipal funder of culture in the country and is committed to providing access to art and culture for all New Yorkers.
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