a nonprofit digital photography program running artistically rigorous, multi-year, sequential visual arts residency programs for young people ages 14 to 24. Taught by artists and creative professionals, we combine advanced art instruction with individualized mentoring, college preparation, and career exploration in the creative industry.
Our Mission
is to engage, inspire, and empower youth in New York City to reach their full potential and develop a sense of agency, belonging, and integrated identity through the lens of a camera.
Our Vision
is to bring more diversity to the creative industry and level the playing field by creating pathways to higher education and careers in the arts, supporting our students at the preprofessional and emerging stages of their artistic development.
WHY WE EXIST
NYC Salt bridges the opportunity gap by supporting students to discover, claim, and express their identities through photography. We create pathways, connections, and guidance for college & creative careers.
Limited Access To Arts Education & Enrichment
When city funding is diverted from the arts, young people lose vital opportunities for self-expression and miss out on the enrichment that fuels their success.
272 to 1
Is the average student to college counselor ratio in NYC public schools.
The NYC Creative sector annually generates
$110 Billion
300,000 jobs in NYC’s creative sector
100% of NYC Salt parents surveyed reported a lack of arts education in their child’s public school.
Insufficient Help In The College Process
Low-income students enter, persist, and graduate college at dramatically lower rates than their wealthier peers. The divesment of low-income and immigrant communities create seemingly insurmountable barriers that exacerbate income inequality for youth who:
• Often work to support their families
• Are multilingual whose English is not a first language
• Lack college knowledge
• Lack guidance to navigate a pathway to and through college
Lack Of Equity In The Creative Sector
In addition to barriers to college, underserved students often don’t see creative careers as possible, or have access to connections in the industry. Expensive equipment creates high barriers to entry. In addition, a lack of guidance and mentorship often prevents strong portfolio development.
11.4% of people in NYC’s creative sector are from diverse communities
OUR MODEL
Ages 14-18 • 1-4 years
High School Residency Program
Our multi-year digital photography program is led by professional artists and combines:
• Advanced digital photography instruction
• 1:1 mentoring with creative sector leaders
• Portfolio development
• Individualized college guidance
• Career exposure to jobs in the creative industry
Ages 18-24
Young Creators Lab
We host workshops that provide opportunities for creativity, community, and guidance for artists. Professional artists lead sessions on photography techniques, digital technology, life skills, and business practices.
Salt’s programs are explicitly designed to address both arts and college-access barriers faced by students from communities with limited economic resources.
We blend learner-centric photography instruction, 1:1 college and career guidance, and long-term mentorship to support strong student outcomes.
It works—our students have a 100% college acceptance rate and many are earning over double their reported family income from when they started Salt.
First Year (Year 1)
Students learn to master the basics of digital technology, including the creative and technical aspects of photography and visual thinking.
Advanced (Years 2-4)
Students develop style and voice, focusing on documentary storytelling, studio photography and career exploration. They are matched 1:1 with professionals for individualized mentorship.
Ages 21-24
Alumni Emerging Artist Fellowship
This synchronized group learning based program is designed for emerging artists to dedicate their time to generating new work. The fellowship seamlessly integrates creative support with professional development, offering participants the resources and guidance they need to advance both their artistic and professional careers.
Programming is 100% free for all students.
Salt is led by professional artists (photographers, curators, editors, art directors) who leverage their industry connections for our students. Most importantly, NYC Salt is a lifelong community. Our students form deep bonds with their peers, their teachers, and visual artists across New York City.
Our Values
1
EXCELLENCE: We work with professional artists to offer advanced instruction that directly apply to the industry, giving students opportunity to use professional equipment and learn workforce skills in a professional photo studio.
2
BELONGING, DIVERSITY, & COMMUNITY: Our studio is a safe space for students to develop their voice and cultivate their unique creative process. We facilitate lifelong connections with and among our students. This builds confidence, motivation, and a sense of belonging.
3
CREATIVITY & CURIOSITY: Students gain exposure to the arts to expand their perspective, develop cultural intelligence, and learn to see. Experiential and peer-to-peer learning frameworks promote curiosity and engagement.
4
OPPORTUNITY & EXPOSURE: Long-term investment in those we serve allows us to layer knowledge over time. Salt’s network and industry ties open doors to projects, internships, and jobs. Artist mentorship helps students build professional portfolios and plan their careers. Dedicated sessions offer comprehensive college preparation support.
THE PROGRAM
This Year:
Students focused on Studio Photography and Portfolio Creation, developing their creative voice through hands-on work and real-world exposure. In the studio, they learned to use continuous and strobe lighting, worked with modifiers, and explored storytelling through portraiture—kicked off by a two-day workshop with Annie Leibovitz. Our students visited photography collections at the NYPL, The MET, the Morgan Library, and AIPAD, studied the history of photography, and engaged with the field through publishing, exhibitions, and portfolio reviews. These experiences encouraged a deeper understanding of the medium and helped students build thoughtful, refined bodies of work.
I love that we were able to obtain multiple different experiences throughout the program. It not only brought something new to me but also something in-depth. I really get to know more about what I have been passionate about.”–
VIOLA ZHENG
Exploring the History of Photography
Students explored the history of photography through exclusive access to a private 19th-century collection, drawing connections to contemporary NYC photography by examining how the city has been documented over time.
Studio visit with Patrick Montgomery & Richard Grosbard
19TH CENTURY COLLECTOR AND ARCHIVIST PATRICK MONTGOMERY OPENED THE DOORS OF HIS PHOTO ARCHIVE TO OUR STUDENTS ALONG WITH WITH RENOWNED COLLECTOR AND NYC SALT STRATEGIC ADVISOR, RICHARD GROSBARD.
The NYPL & Morgan Library
Students visited the New York Public Library Photo & Picture Collections and enjoyed a private tour at the Morgan Library and Museum to see the current exhibition on Julia Margaret Cameron, exploring the evolution of the photographic process from its origins to the present day.
THE PROGRAM
2-Day Workshop with Annie Leibovitz
To deepen their understanding of how to capture the essence of a subject through portraiture, Annie Leibovitz led a workshop with our students—assigning them a portrait exercise and reviewing each one individually, offering thoughtful and invaluable feedback to help them grow as artists and professionals. Thanks to our partnership with Hauser & Wirth gallery, which continues to provide our students with access to world-renowned photographers and artists. Through this collaboration, we aim to connect the creative community with the next generation, empowering young voices across the city.
Studio visit with Professional Photographer, Adam Fuss
Students had the amazing opportunity to visit Adam Fuss’s studio and learn about his process and new concepts like camera-less photography. Adam is one of the most recognized contemporary photographers, well known for his techniques and unique approach to photography.
Photo Booth at AIPAD
This year, at the 44th edition of The Photography Show presented by AIPAD, our students had the chance to run a photo booth, capturing stunning portraits of gallerists and collectors attending the event. They applied advanced lighting knowledge and storytelling techniques in a professional environment.
Students learnrd that the key to capturing a powerful portrait lies in truly seeing their subject—not just with the camera, but with presence and intention. It’s about forming a genuine connection.
THE PROGRAM
In the studio with Commercial Photographer, Adam Chinitz
Students learned and practiced their skills in the studio with Adam Chinitz. They explored lighting techniques and how to set up a studio shoot, while also experimenting with a more cinematic approach—using many different types of lighting and gaining insight into how and why light affects the subject.
Building websites
With Adobe Portfolio, students took the lead in creating their own professional websites, thoughtfully curating and uploading their strongest and most meaningful work. This process helped them reflect on their growth as artists while building a polished, personal platform to share their creative voices with the world.
Making Zines THE PROGRAM
NYC SALT & Center for Book Arts
In partnership with the Center for Book Arts, we launched a pilot program that invited our students to craft their own RISO zines. Through hands-on printing and the art of sequencing, they discovered how images come together to tell a story on the page— experimenting boldly and producing beautiful, singular works that reflect their vision and voice.
Six of our students crafted amazing pieces across six sessions held between the Center for Book Arts and our studio. Our team joined forces with the CBA staff to blend the strengths of both organizations—offering expert guidance, technical support, and a collaborative space that fueled creativity and experimentation.
Limited
edition RISO zines
Each student produced 30 copies of their book as part of this pilot program, which gave Chloe Zhou, August Moreno-Salerno, Oliver Rothman-Cimino, Jordan Martinez, Michelle Osorio, Noah Kato-Samuel, and alumni Grace Mc Nally the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind photobooks.
JOURDAN MARTINEZ
AUGUST MORENO-SALERNO
CHLOE ZHOU
MICHELLE OSORIO
OLIVER ROTHMAN CIMINO
NOAH KATO-SAMUEL
THE PROGRAM
Nikon’s Mike Corrado visited our studio
Senior Manager of Nikon Professional Services/ Pro Relations at Nikon Inc Mike Corrado came to our NYC Salt studio to share his knowledge and stories from his long career.
He led a masterclass on storytelling that really sparked our students’ creativity and helped them think deeper about how they tell stories through their photos.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CORRADO
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CORRADO
Critique Night at the Studio
Our studio was filled with energy during Critique Night, as a room full of creative professionals came together to review and give thoughtful feedback on our students’ work. It was an incredible opportunity for students to grow, reflect, and gain real-world insight from voices in the industry.
A night with the professionals
SALTSTUDENTS
By the Numbers 2024-25
OUR PARTNERS
We couldn’t do this work without the generous support of our partners. We are grateful to these organizations who believe in what Salt does and support thet exceptional talent of our students:
Private Foundation Partners
American Eagle Outfitters Foundation
The Appleman Foundation
Barnum Foundation for Life
Cornelia Bailey Foundation
Find Your Light Foundation
Fordham Street Foundation
Franz W. Sichel Foundation
Hampton Foundation
Harry Chapin Memorial Foundation
The Heckscher Foundation for Children
Hyde Watson Foundation
Irene and Stacy Zelnik & Jade A. Walker Charitable Fund
The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation
Joy of Giving Something Foundation
Lily Auchincloss Foundation
March Forth Foundation
Marshal Frankel Family Foundation
The Moleskine Foundation
MUUS Collection
Nora Roberts Foundation
The Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation
Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation
Westside Community Fund
William Talbott Hillman Foundation
Thank you!
Government Partners
New York State Council on the Arts
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
National Endowment for the Arts
Corporate Partners
Adobe
B&H Photo and Video
Canon Image ProGraf
EVOTO AI
LinkedIn
Moleskine Corporation
Nikon USA
SanDisk
Scholastic Corporation - The Kelly Clarkson Show
Shutterstock
ThinkTank
Topo Chico
Programming Partners
Affirmation Arts Gallery
AIPAD
Center for Book Arts
Hauser & Wirth Galleries
The MET Photo Conservation Department
The Morgan Library and Museum
The New York Public Library
Printed Matter
THE WORK
Light, Color, Moments captured by portraits and compositions, shared by personal creative vision.
PHOTO BY ADELAIDE OPPENHEIMER
PHOTO BY DANIELI MARIA
PHOTO BY DEAN WILCOXSON
PHOTO BY MICHELLE OSORIO
PHOTO BY NOAH KATO-SAMUEL
PHOTO BY KYAN MCGREGOR
PHOTO BY SHAYLA RAHMAN
PHOTO BY OLIVER ROTHMAN CIMINO
PHOTO BY THALIA OZORIA
PHOTO BY NOAH KATO-SAMUEL
PHOTO BY CHLOE ZHOU
OUR NEWS
A pinch of Salt here and there
Moleskine + Wicked + NYC Salt
It’s quite a honor to receive a grant from a witch!
On March 26th, on the stage of the Broadway musical, Wicked, NYC Salt was the recipient of the Everyone Deserves a Chance to Fly Grant from the Moleskine Foundation, presented by Christophe Archaimbault, Global CEO of Moleskine. This grant will support NYC Salt in creating more opportunities for our students to grow, learn, and continue developing their skills through our Photography Residency Program.
The Kelly Clarkson Show + NYC Salt:
NYC Salt was honored to be featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where we received a generous $5,000 grant from Scholastic to support our mission. The segment spotlighted the impact of our work through the voices of alumni Malike Sidibe and current student Danieli Maria, who shared how the program has shaped her life and vision. It was a powerful moment of recognition, shared alongside special guests Teddy Swims and Jessica Seinfeld—reminding us just how far our students can go when given the chance to be seen and supported.
NIKON + NYC Salt Camera Strap Project:
In collaboration with Nikon, our students inspired a new collection of 7 camera strap designs—each one based on their original photography. These limited-edition straps will be available for sale to help raise funds and awareness for NYC Salt.
Nikon Emerging Talent Scholarship
Jordan Martinez, Class of 2024 and now a student at FIT, was selected by Nikon this year for a $10,000 college scholarship. This incredible recognition highlights Jordan’s talent and dedication, and it’s a powerful example of how NYC Salt prepares students to thrive beyond our walls.
OUR NEWS
BH BILD Photo Expo + NYC Salt
NYC Salt was proud to be part of BILD Expo—one of the biggest photography events hosted by B&H, where creatives, brands, and photography lovers come together to celebrate the art form.
Syracuse and RIT + NYC Salt
We had the pleasure of hosting students from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School and Rochester Institute of Technology at NYC Salt. They connected with our students, shared insights about college life and careers in the creative industry, and offered valuable feedback on student work.
Back on TV for Women’s Month
We were thrilled to be invited back to The Kelly Clarkson Show—this time at Columbus Circle—as part of a special Women’s History Month celebration highlighting nonprofit organizations led by women.
A pinch of Salt here and there
2025 Nonprofit Board and Volunteer Showcase at Columbia University
It was a great opportunity to share our mission, connect with potential supporters, and highlight the impact of our community-driven work.
Internal Photographic Counsel Photography Educator Achievement Award
Alicia Hansen, NYC Salt’s founder and executive director, received the IPC Photographer Educator Achievement Award. This national recognition honors her deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of photographers and storytellers.
Creativity Pioneers Fund Leadership Forum 2025
Xavier Achurra joined the 2025 Creativity Pioneers Fund Leadership Forum, helping NYC Salt grow leadership skills and connect with nonprofits worldwide
The Collaborative for Creative Practice and Social Justice
Alicia Hansen participated as a panelist at The Collaborative for Creative Practice and Social Justice event held at The Met, sharing insights on creativity and equity.
SALT ALUMNI MALIKE SIDIBE, DANIEL MARTINEZ AND MAMADI DOUMBOUYA SPEAK AT THE IPC AWARDS AT THE UNITED NATIONS.
OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Indoor & Outdoor Exhibitions
20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW at
Affirmation Arts
We celebrated 20 years of NYC Salt with a special anniversary show at Affirmation Arts—highlighting two decades of student creativity, growth, and community.
OUTDOOR EXHIBITION at Clement Clarke Moore Park
As part of our 20th anniversary celebration, we showcased our students’ work outdoors at Clement Clarke Moore Park—bringing their creativity into the community and sharing two decades of artistic growth with everyone.
END OF YEAR SHOW June 2025
2024-2025 Exhibiton
Our 2024–2025 End of Year Highschool Exhibition at the studio was a vibrant celebration of our students’ hard work, creativity, and growth throughout the year. It was inspiring to see their journeys come to life through their images.
MOLESKINE PARTNERSHIP
Salt Emerging Artists exhibit 62 hand-painted Moleskine notebook covers for a two month sole exhibtion in the Moleskine Moynihan Station Flagship Store May - October 2024.
Devin Osorio
Devin Osorio (b. 1993) is a 32-year-old Dominican-American multidisciplinary artist, born and raised in Washington Heights, NYC. A member of NYC SALT’s very first cohort in 2005.
“Thanks to teaching artists like Alicia, Adam, and Sari, I was able to learn photography and grow my curiosity for the arts. They showed me the path and opened the doors—I ran through them, letting my creativity be free.”
Danny Martinez AKA Bronks
Daniel Martinez, known artistically as Bronks, is a Puerto Rican-American photographer and visual storyteller born and raised in the Bronx, NYC. A graduate of NYC SALT, Bronks has developed a practice grounded in capturing the beauty, energy, and complexity of New York’s neighborhoods—always with an eye toward his community and culture.
“NYC SALT was where I first started to understand photography not just as a tool, but as a way to tell stories that matter. The mentors there believed in me before I believed in myself—that support lit the spark. It’s what helped me find my path, and now I want to pass that on and help others see what’s possible too.”
STUDENT REFLECTIONS
What I love about Salt…
What I liked the most was how many opportunities we had to collaborate, try new things, and really be part of something. We weren’t just watching, we were involved, creating, and growing with every experience. –Viola Zheng
I loved the sense of community—everyone was welcoming and supportive. I made great friends, and it really felt like we were all growing and learning together. – Oliver Rothman Cimino
I’m proud I got to meet Annie Leibovitz and share my work with her—it was a huge moment. I also made friends I truly hope to stay connected with. The community was so welcoming and supportive. –Kyan McGregor
I loved having access to amazing creative spaces and being surrounded by such a welcoming community. It was the perfect environment to grow as an artist. I made real friendships here—people I still consider close friends. – Inti Owens-Valverde
Salt was a place where I could be myself and feel fully welcomed. The environment was inclusive, the mentors were supportive, and I felt seen and represented throughout the program. – Heidi Perez
What I loved most were the people—Alicia, Adam, Xavier, Grace, and everyone else—their positivity, encouragement, and humor. Y’all helped me find my purpose in life, and I sometimes wonder where I’d be without you. I’m grateful for the strong friendships I’ve made and hope to one day give back the love you’ve shown me. – August Moreno Salerno
I loved how hands-on the program was. I’m proud to have won a Gold Key in Scholastic this year. The community was nice and welcoming, and I always felt comfortable being myself. – Thalia Ozoria
I made friends I never expected to and still keep in touch with outside of Salt. What I loved most were the activities and the meaningful connections I made. –Shayla Rahman
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES 2025
Throughout our High School Residency Program, students receive 1:1 college guidance and dedicated support for college and scholarship applications.
100% of our seniors were accepted to college.
PHOTO BY OLIVER ROTHMAN CIMINO
THANK YOU
Salt’s impact is only possible because of our dedicated supporters, sponsors, and partners. Together, we amplify young artists’ voices and build a creative community where every future is possible.
