CEI Arts Education’s BENCHMARKS program empowers students to create murals on benches to inspire their communities. These benches are exhibited every summer in NYC parks citywide.
This year, CEI Arts Education is pleased to celebrate 20 powerful benches painted by over 550 student artists from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island. These benches aren’t just beautiful, they reflect what matters most to the students who created them. Each student-selected theme gives students a chance to express themselves on issues that they care about — topics like caring for the environment, stopping cyberbullying, and strengthening our communities.
As part of the Benchmarks program, CEI Teaching artists worked with students to select and research their topics, write position pieces, and make connections to real-world issues. The process aligns with the NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts and the NYS Standards in ELA, Social Studies, and Visual Art, making this a meaningful academic and artistic experience. Overall, the program brings together creativity, community, and student voices, connecting with communities and beautifying the city.
