Mission

The Human Arts Association [HAA] is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization. It was founded in 1976 to create a structure to ensure artists creative control of their work in addition to providing production and financial services.

The foundation stimulates talent and nurtures artistic and educational works, which are promoted to national and international audiences. Over the years, the foundation has presented myriad performers and produced and sponsored award-winning films. The Human Arts Association has been the recipient of and has served as the fiscal sponsor for many grants and donations.

A sampling of the granting agencies and foundations include Ampex Corporation, Benneton Foundation, Crickett Foundation, Deer Creek Foundation, Donnet Fund, Lucius and Eva Eastman Fund, Film Fund, Global Ministries, J. Roderick MacArthur Foundation, Joint Foundation, Kendall Foundation, Migraine Research Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department for Cultural Affairs, New York Community Trust, New York State Council on the Arts, New York Women in Film and Television, Rockefeller Foundation, Shumann Foundation, SOROS Foundation, Sunflower Foundation, Tides Foundation, United Presbyterian Church, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Human Arts sponsors and encourages widespread distribution of educational artworks. HAA sponsored productions have toured extensively and are often broadcast world-wide; works have been published in book form or DVD reaching large and vastly diverse audiences. The demographic outreach is broad serving many constituencies.

As a 501(c)3 organization, HAA can accept donations which are tax-deductible in the United States to the full extent allowed by law.

History

The Human Arts Association had its roots in the jazz scene in St. Louis, Missouri in the early 70's with such nascent luminaries as Charles Bobo Shaw, Lester Bowie, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, Hamiet Bluiett, and more. When these young musicians moved to New York City, they brought the name of their organization along, and under the auspices of Ellen Stewart and La MaMa E.T.C. settled into a small theatre space on East Third Street, which has since become the home of Nuyorican Poets Café.

It was here that HAA began an extraordinary series of jazz performances becoming one of the best venues for what was known as the "Loft Jazz Scene" in the mid-70's. Jazz led to jazz with dance. Filmmaking came into play when the artists opened their doors, and together with local filmmakers and kids from the neighborhood created the educational film Continental Drift, in 1977.

Since that time the Human Arts Association has sponsored an eclectic array of artistic projects, including a variety of award winning film productions, publications, and start-up organizations which then graduate and acquire their own 501(c)(3) status. Art In General and Rooftop Films are two such organizations.

Lester Bowie Sho'Nuff Orchestra

Board of Directors

  • Carol Ochs (Treasurer)

    Executive Director, The 52nd Street Project

  • Edwin Martinez

    Independent documentary filmmaker, Associate Professor of Film, SUNY Purchase

  • Komal Kehar

    Consultant, Design and Construction, specializing in spatial design and construction management with expertise in retail, office and hospitality projects worldwide

  • Paula Longendyke (Chair)

    Consultant, art and event production

  • Jackie Pine (Secretary)

    Director of Arts, Center for Educational Innovation

  • Jacki Ochs

    Executive Director, Human Arts Association — Independent documentary producer/director — Adjunct Professor Emerita, Pratt Institute

Fiscal Sponsorship and Co-Production

The Human Arts Association does fiscal sponsorship for artistic/educational projects on a rolling and approval process basis.

The not-for-profit status known as a 501(c)(3) organization (an IRS code designation) is required by many foundations, corporations and government agencies, in order for an artist to apply and to have their project eligible for funding. Often direct applications from individuals are not accepted by these agencies. HAA's fiscal sponsorship of a project and the 501(c)(3) status also allow contributions from individuals to be designated as charitable donations.

As a fiscal sponsor and 501(c)(3) organization, HAA is responsible for administering all grants received for a project through HAA. HAA insures that the funds are expended as agreed upon between the donating agency and the project.

Fiscal sponsorship does not include fundraising or grant research on behalf of the project. HAA takes no responsibility for the content of any project. All rights to the project remain with and belong to the Project Director(s) or project company.

For additional information please contact Human Arts Association.

Audience