About Us

Manhattan New Music Project (MNMP) is a nonprofit arts education and performance organization that engages young people and adults in innovative programming throughout New York City. Founded in 1990 by composer Paul Nash, MNMP expands traditional musical boundaries using the arts as a catalyst to develop exceptional projects in schools and performance spaces, ranging from breakthrough arts programs for students with autism to the creation and performance of cutting-edge works in contemporary American music.

Overview of activities:

- On an annual basis, MNMP directly serves more than 3,000 New York City public school students through in-school and after-school residencies, and provides professional development for over 200 teachers and administrators. We have partnered with over 100 public schools, and implement programs across all five boroughs. Our teaching artists are among the leading practitioners in their art forms and maintain a high standard of professionalism, classroom experience, and artistic merit.

- Our effectiveness has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which has awarded $9.6 million in support of our educational programs. Current projects include: Blank Page to Stage, a four-year original musical theater creation program designed for English Language Learners, and general and special education students ($1.1 million); Communication and Socialization Through the Arts, a three-year professional development program designed to address communication and socialization skills of students with autism through arts-based approaches ($900,000); and Everyday Arts for Special Education, a five-year program expanding the approaches piloted in CASTA to serve the needs of students with a wide range of disabilities ($4.6 million).

- MNMP produces approximately six concerts per year as part of three New York City-based concert series. Concerts are performed in a variety of venues to reach and build new audiences, including public parks, art galleries, and accessibly priced recital halls. To celebrate our 20th anniversary, MNMP has launched a commissioning fund in honor of Paul Nash (1948 – 2005). Composer and bandleader Darcy James Argue is the 2010 recipient.