All proceeds this year will directly benefit Art Start. Art Start connects with youth living in homeless shelters and with teenagers struggling in "last chance" high schools, living on the streets, or facing the possibility of incarceration. Art Start uses the arts to provide these kids with opportunities for success and gives them the tools, structure, support and, most importantly, chances to be heard. Art Start consists of three programs: the Arts in the Shelters Program bonds children and teens in New York City shelters with artists who volunteer their time, expertise, and guidance to nurture the creativity and talents of the kids; The Hip Hop Project connects underserved teens with artists, exercutives, engineers and others in the music industry to assist teens to create, record and perform their music; and, the Media Works Project uses an inquiry-based approach to teaching media literacy to "at-risk" teenagers in NYC. Offered in a nurturing environment, Art Start programs challenge children to develop their inner gifts and acquire tools to succeed in life.