Overview: “New York City Inclusive Schools Mural Project” 2024

Artist Kyle Holbrook, founder of Moving Lives of Kids Mural Project (MLKmural.com) in collaboration with The Division of Specialized Instruction and Student Support within the NYC Department of Education is committed to promoting inclusive education with the “New York City Inclusive Schools Mural Project”.

The New York City Inclusive Schools Mural Project, is a collaborative initiative aimed at promoting inclusivity across the city's educational institutions. Mural, an amalgamation of "mural" and "inclusive," underscores the project's core mission of fostering diversity, equity, and accessibility in education.

The project spans five different schools situated in the five boroughs of New York City, ensuring representation across socioeconomic, racial, and age demographics, as well as catering to students with various disabilities. In partnership with teachers and with support from the faculty of the Division of Specialized Instruction, the Mural Project aims to create five vibrant murals within these schools that prominently advocate for inclusivity.

Each mural will serve as a visual testament to the importance of inclusivity, not only within the school community but also to visitors and onlookers. The intention is for inclusivity to permeate throughout the student body, promoting understanding, empathy, and acceptance.

Renowned artist Kyle Holbrook will lead the design process, ensuring that each mural is a collaborative effort between students, faculty, and the artist. The timeline for the project spans from planning and material acquisition in late 2023 to mural completion in late April or early May 2024, with the entire project taking approximately 10 to 14 days to finish. Some murals may be completed in shorter timeframes, while others, such as larger outdoor murals, may require more extensive work. Two days is the minimum amount for each mural.

The project will culminate in a grand unveiling event, providing an opportunity to showcase the completed murals and celebrate the collective efforts of students and staff. Additionally, the project's impact will be amplified through coverage in news outlets, social media, and other platforms, further spreading awareness and appreciation for the work done to promote inclusivity in New York City schools.

Manhattan- 02M395- “A School Without Walls” (SWOW) 90 Trinity Pl, New York, NY 10006- Inclusion is baked into the mission and vision of our school. Our student population is very interested in increasing representation, awareness and inclusion for people with disabilities. We have a larger percentage of neurodivergent students. We are offering an elective about street art and graffiti art and would aim to make this partnership a key component of that curriculum. We are designed with a radical inclusion, universal design for learning and least possible restrictive environment model. All our students with disabilities take their classes within their passions and interests. We have no programming limits for students with disabilities. Our special education work is focused on access to transition planning and postsecondary pathways for all. Students: 9/10 within the elective space. Opportunity to collab with other school in the building.

Bronx - P17X “District 75 School” 778 Forest Ave, Bronx, NY 10456 - Promoting a Positive Culture: A mural dedicated to disability, diversity, and inclusion aligns with our commitment to cultivating a positive and respectful school culture. It will serve as a constant reminder of our shared values and the importance of treating one another with kindness and respect. Students: Students in grades 6-12 will participate. There are 4 schools in our building. Our District 75 program serves students with Autism. Mural Location: Indoors - Tall hallway space. This is where both programs share the space.

Staten Island - 31R069 “PS 69 - Daniel D. Tompkins” 144 Keating Pl, Staten Island, NY 10314 - Our school has multiple programs which foster inclusion and the celebration of diversity, including ICT classes, ASD Nest Classes, and 12:1:1 classes. We have a student group called the Inclusive Compasses which has worked on a video explaining diversity & inclusion, as well as ableism. We engaged in Inclusive Schools week where we created a mural on individuality and all that makes us unique. Students: We will likely allow students from different grade levels to express interest.

Brooklyn- 75K053- P53K P53K- Main Site: 544 7th Avenue Brooklyn NY, 11215 Phone: 718.832.3563 - Our school is looking to build upon our work last year with the collaborative communities initative. We have continued over the years to work together to build a building community that is supportive and responsive to the needs of all of our students. Students: The students that we would participate would be the students in our Parkside Buddies program. This includes all D75 students in grades K-5, PS130 students in third and fourth grade, and MS839 sixth and seventh grade students.

Queens- 75Q255- “ P.255 at The Renaissance Charter School” 35-59 81st St, Queens, NY 11372- Our school is interested in taking part in this activity because in Jackson Heights Queens, we are in the most diverse area of NYC. Our school is a great representation of our community. We also have students of varying abilities and talents that make up the fabric of our school. Our middle schoolers often have difficulty making friends. This project will be a great opportunity for them to engage in a fun, social activity that will allow for friendship to develop. Students: 6/7/8th graders, D-75 inclusion students (2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th graders).

Washington Heights- Joniur Police graduation 2017