Throughout our 10 year history, Cool Culture's programs have been shaped by the experience of New Yorkers that have traditionally been left out of the cultural pipeline.

Admission fees, perception that they are unwelcome, and limited  information about cultural programming have too often proven insurmountable barriers to cultural participation for economically challenged New Yorkers.

The input of our education partners; Cultural Liaisons, program directors, principals, teachers and social workers committed to educating young children, has also proven indispensible.

Working with our 90 cultural partners, and programs are designed to dispel the idea that art museums, historical socities, gardens and wildlife centers are playgrounds for the elite, and to reach nontraditional audiences.

The practices that our community partners - cultural institutions, early education prgorams and schools - and perhaps first and foremost our families have encouraged, are well grounded in the literature about early education and audience development.