Drawing Out Young Talent

Nearly every Saturday morning, dozens of children ages 7 to 17 gather at the Atwater Senior Center in New Haven, splitting off into different clusters of creativity. There are groups for drama, singing, visual arts, guitar, piano, recorder, clarinet and ukulele — all led by high school and college student instructors under the guidance of professional music teachers.

In one room, Darwin helps lead guitar lessons. “It’s a tight-knit community,” he says. A music major at Gateway Community College and aspiring music professor, Darwin explains that ARTE also provides him with valuable teaching experience.

Eventually, parents return for pickup, but not before students reunite for a show-and-tell performance for family members and friends.

This is ARTE Saturday Academy, one of many programs operated by ARTE, Inc., a small-but-mighty nonprofit co-founded by David Greco and Daniel Diaz in 2004. In addition to the arts-focused Saturday Academy, ARTE operates 16 local after-school programs, Family Arts & Science Workshops, college readiness initiatives, and multiple family-centered programs and events — all free of charge.

In 2025, ARTE served 1,127 local children through arts, sports, culture, science and educational enrichment opportunities.

“I just think it's wonderful because it gave my children confidence in public speaking, and now they’re able to perform on stage with no fear,” says Iesha Aleman, parent of two daughters enrolled in Saturday Academy and Big Turtle Village, an after-school program jointly operated by ARTE and Junta for Progressive Action. “Before, my daughter was like a turtle in a shell, very shy. Now she’s like, ‘No, I’m not scared.”

For Greco, that transformation is exactly the goal.

“That’s the whole point,” he says. “Connecting with and mentoring youth through enrichment and education, helping develop their skills, maturity and social-emotional well-being, all while making new friends and having fun.”

“We give them the space to express themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin,” says Diaz. “And they flourish because of that.”

“I call David Mr. Claus, because he brings so many gifts to the kids – not just material gifts,” says Aleman. “He brings out the gifts in these kids.”

Natalie, a former Saturday Academy student, now teaches clarinet. “We have a lot of students who have been with us for years,” she says. “Seeing their growth academically, musically and also their personality - watching them become more comfortable with their peers and overall, knowing that we’re making that impact on young students. Especially to a population that may not have access to free programs is incredibly rewarding.”

From the beginning, Greco and Diaz envisioned ARTE as a small but effective organization that addressed the lack of artistic opportunities available to Latino and Black youth in the Greater New Haven area. “It’s changed, obviously,” recalls Greco. “But 22 years ago, those opportunities were limited. When we first started at 19 Grand Avenue, we hosted art exhibits, cultural events and a large annual scholarship reception.”

Over time, they recognized the value of working directly with youth and shifted their focus toward enrichment and educational programming. Diaz credits ARTE’s success to its “ability to adapt to the needs of the community.”

“We get to know the students, parents and their situations,” adds Greco. “We do whatever we can to help.”

ARTE also provides college preparedness resources, helping families navigate the often-complicated application process, especially parents who may not speak fluent English or who need assistance completing paperwork.

“It becomes a network,” says Diaz. “Whether it’s financial aid applications, recommendations, or referrals, we do whatever it takes.”

In 2026, Greco and Diaz established the ARTE, Inc. Fund. The designated fund will primarily support ARTE’s college scholarships or continuing education for Latine/Hispanic students.

“We will grow the fund and offer scholarships forever,” says Diaz.

Since 2004, ARTE has awarded $133,900 in scholarships, typically distributing approximately $7,000 to $8,000 annually.

Diaz and Greco say the process of establishing the fund was both easy and customizable to ARTE’s needs.

“We’ve worked very hard to establish ARTE and build an excellent reputation in the community,” says Diaz. “We want to keep that going for as long as possible. And when we're no longer here, this fund will help ensure we continue to help youth and that ARTE lasts forever. Hopefully people will say those were two guys who truly cared about the kids and families of our community.”

“I grew up in New Haven. I’m a product of New Haven,” Diaz says. “We were helped as kids through many of the organizations The Community Foundation supports. Because of that, I believe in paying it forward. I am who I am because people invested in us. It’s about creating future good citizens. We want these kids to know there were people who cared about them and helped them — and because of that, one day they’ll pay it forward. That’s the whole thing.”