New York State Education Department Launches Visioning Task Force to Reimagine the Future of the New York State Summer School of the Arts Program

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) today announced the creation of the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) Visioning Task Force, a statewide initiative to strengthen and reimagine one of New York’s most longstanding and impactful arts education programs.

Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “The New York State Summer School of the Arts has had a lasting impact on students by giving them the opportunity to grow as artists through meaningful mentorship and hands-on creative experiences. As we look ahead, we are excited to build on that foundation through a new re-envisioning task force that will help shape the program’s next chapter, expanding its reach, strengthening its impact, and ensuring it continues to inspire young people across New York State for years to come. I am especially thankful to my colleague, Roger Tilles, for his longstanding commitment to arts education and for agreeing to chair the new re-envisioning task force.”

New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) Visioning Task Force Chair Roger Tilles said, “NYSSSA has played a transformative role in the lives of thousands of young artists for more than fifty years. This planning process is an opportunity to build on that remarkable legacy while thoughtfully reimagining how the program can best serve today’s students and tomorrow’s creative leaders. I am honored to chair this Task Force and look forward to working with educators, artists, and stakeholders from across the state to help ensure NYSSSA’s future is strong, inclusive, and sustainable.”

Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “NYSSSA has long represented New York’s commitment to educational excellence and artistic opportunity. The Visioning Task Force will help us honor that legacy while thoughtfully shaping a modern program model that reflects today’s educational standards, student needs, and expectations for safety, equity, and access.”

Founded in 1970 under Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, NYSSSA has provided exceptionally talented students from across New York State with advanced, pre-professional arts training for over five decades. More than 18,000 students have participated in its immersive summer institutes, earning Regents credit while studying with distinguished artists and educators in a rigorous, conservatory-style environment.

Historically, NYSSSA has encompassed up to seven schools of study—including theater, dance, music, visual arts, and media arts—hosted at college campuses and cultural institutions throughout the state. Like many residential programs, NYSSSA was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic and, over the past two summers, has operated only three of its seven schools of study. The visioning process is intended to support a thoughtful, phased return to the full range of NYSSSA offerings.

As NYSSSA enters its next chapter, NYSED is launching a forward-looking planning process to ensure the program’s long-term success. The upcoming year will serve as a dedicated planning year, allowing NYSED and its partners to reflect on past experience and design a future-focused model that aligns with statutory requirements, student needs, and the highest standards of excellence, equity, safety, and sustainability.

The Visioning Task Force will be chaired by Roger Tilles, outgoing Regent of the New York State Board of Regents. In this role, Regent Tilles will lead a diverse group of educators, artists, and stakeholders from across the state in a comprehensive review of NYSSSA’s structure, scope, student experience, access, and operations, with the goal of developing a strong, sustainable, and future-ready model for the program.

Roger Tilles has been a longstanding and passionate advocate for arts education and cultural access across New York State. Throughout his tenure on the Board of Regents, he championed the role of the arts as a critical component of a well-rounded education and a powerful driver of creativity, critical thinking, and community engagement. Regent Tilles has been especially committed to expanding opportunities for students to experience high-quality arts learning, supporting programs that connect young people with professional artists and real-world creative experiences. His leadership is informed by a deep personal appreciation for the arts, which has shaped his lifelong commitment to supporting artists, cultural institutions, and arts learning opportunities.

During this planning year, NYSED remains committed to expanding access to high-quality arts education opportunities. Students and families are encouraged to utilize the Empire State Arts Scholarship Program, a year-round, need-based initiative that supports participation in New York State–based after-school and summer arts programs.

The establishment of the Visioning Task Force underscores NYSED’s commitment to thoughtful, long-term leadership of one of the state’s signature arts education programs. Through this collaborative effort—and alongside existing statewide supports—NYSED aims to ensure that NYSSSA continues to empower young artists and enrich New York’s cultural landscape for generations to come.

The Task Force’s work will culminate in a set of recommendations to guide NYSED’s long-term planning for NYSSSA, including strategies to strengthen program quality, expand access, and support a phased return to the full range of NYSSSA schools of study. Stakeholders will be invited to join the Visioning Task Force in the coming weeks.

For additional information, please visit the New York State Summer School for the Arts website.