ABOUT US
1. We seek to establish a collective of artists that will present works to the underserved communities throughout New York City, especially within The Bronx.
2. Art education is vital to the development of the community, applying increased benefits such as literacy, speech, critical thinking and creativity.
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3. While bringing artists together, our artistic movement will create new experiences to inspire a defining perspective of art.
OUR VISION
1. Art Defined Productions is a movement to address the hardships of artists searching for safe spaces to express, share and call home.
2. We offer insights into the professional world by creating opportunities in a nurturing environment.
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3. Throughout our cultivating environments, we encourage your unique artistic voice to be heard. By taking full ownership of your craft, you will approach your career understanding your intrinsic value.
4. Ready to have your art to be seen, heard and honored?
OUR APPROACH
THE STORY THUS FAR
MEET THE TEAM
Founder & Executive Director
Amira Mustapha is a Ghanaian-American Bronx-based artist, having founded Art Defined, because she wanted to create a platform for artists to explore, create, develop, and see their work come to life.
She has developed successful programs within her organization, like Poetic Affair, an open mic. In addition, Amira is looking to create a mentorship program where artists will be able to grow and prosper.
Since 2013, Amira has receieved multiple Community Arts Fund Grants from the Bronx Council on the Art, and since 2014, she has garnered annual support from the "nation's largest nonprofit organization serving creative writers," Poets and Writers, Inc. In 2019, Amira was presented with the Bharati Foundation Leadsership Award for her service, dedication, and commitment to the art community.
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Ray Janes Role
Ray Jane - I am a NY girl down to my toes, born in Brooklyn and raised in Far Rockaway, Queens. I have always loved writing and writing has shown me how to love. I try to take that love with me to work when I see my patients as a Palliative Care physician; and to life when I see my folk. I let my love be many things, as I hope to be, a conglomeration of many wonders when my work is finally done. I do my best to live with my heart open, my voice strong, and my hands ready for anyone who needs to be lifted.
Paul's Role
Paul LaTorre, aka Paulconqueso, is a poet, professor, publisher, performer, and activist from Newark, NJ. He teaches creative writing at his alma mater of Bloomfield College where he is lead Editor of 'BC Underground', an annual student-run literary magazine, and 'I Can't Breathe', a social justice oriented literary magazine with all proceeds benefiting the cause. Paul's poetry blends pop culture with activism for various causes: from social justice to mental
health, body image & eating disorders, sexual assault & other issues in need of advocacy. His first book of poems, 'Disappearing Boy' was published in March of 2020 by Three Mile Harbor Press and he is an active member of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, his poetic home, in NYC.
Facilitator
Juan Ramirez, Jr. is a Borinquén-Chapín-Bronx playwright, monologist, director, screenwriter, filmmaker, poet, and producer. His play, Calling Puerto, made Second Round for the Austin Film Festival, is a Miranda Family Voices Latinx Finalist with Repertorio EspaÅ„ol, is a 2020 BAPF Finalist, and is a recipient of the 2019 BRIO Award.
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His notable productions include Ridin' Shotgun (Best Play Downtown Urban Arts Festival), The American Dream (NAV Playwrights Festival, BBTF), Wall (LaTea, Cimientos), Stroke of Madness (Ingenio Milagro, Cimientos) and Don Juan (Dixon Place).
Juan is also a film assessor, script reader, dramaturg, and teaching artist. He received his B.A. from Lehman College and his MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. To learn more, visit JuanRamirezJr.com.
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Project Coordinator
Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Neranyi Roman brings her passion for
non-profit work and supporting artists in need to Art Defined. With a track
record of academic excellence, including receiving Certificates of Academic
Excellence and President's List recognition throughout her college years at
The College of Westchester, Neranyi brings a strong commitment to
excellence. She also served as the only student representative in the
Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee and was honored with the
prestigious Student of the Semester awards.
As a part of the Art Defined Family, Neranyi hopes to ensure the events run
flawlessly, creating memorable experiences for both artists and attendees.
With a Business Administration degree from the College of Westchester,
Neranyi possesses a solid foundation in organizational management and
strategic planning which she hopes will help her make the artists that step
through Art Defined’s stage shine.
Intern
Alessa Adhikari is an incoming freshman at the City College of New York (CCNY) with a major in Computer Science. She was born and raised in Nepal, and moved to the United States in 2020. Besides technology, Alessa has always had a passion for the arts, and spends her leisure time creating her own drawings and illustrations. She is excited to work with Art Defined and feels a deep connection to the company’s efforts to sustain the beauty of art within underserved communities.
Intern
Nada Farag is an incoming freshman at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Big Data. She was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt until she came to the USA in 2019. Nada enjoys reading novels and watching TV shows as her hobbies. Her favorite genre for reading is fantasy. She is looking forward to working with Art Defined to connect artists with the opportunities that they deserve.
Intern
Selina Zhu is an incoming freshman at the City College of New York (CCNY) where she plans to study Computer Science and learn more about topics like data science and AI/Machine Learning. Her grandparents immigrated from China to the US and she was born and raised in Manhattan. Since then, she has been the first in her family to go to college and pursue a higher education degree. Selina is excited to work with Art Defined to help provide artists with a platform where their work can be shared with the public.
