Laura Paris

Laura Paris is the Associate Executive Director of Youth Development, a teaching artist, and Bushwick resident. She co-founded the Arts and Literacy After School Program in 1993, developing a holistic, bilingual, culturally competent, and family-focused approach to building literacy and critical thinking through the arts. The program began with 3 participants in Bushwick and now serves over 2000 children in ten neighborhoods. She has served as a consultant to support other non-profits with professional development, strategic planning, fundraising, and family engagement. She is a member of the art duo Trouble (named after a favorite cat) whose installations and performances have taken place at Basilica Hudson, Garner Arts Center, Performance Space 21, The Cleveland MOCA, Queens Museum, Pioneer Works, Knockdown Center, among others. Trouble received a 2023 NYSCA grant to create a virtual maze for Garner Art Center. She brings this experience to leading teams of teaching artists to create engaging projects for youth and families. Ms. Paris feels lucky to be a graduate of the NYC public school system and to maintain that connection through collaborations with our partner schools. She is a Bowdoin College graduate with the Spelling Award for distinction in Art History.