Universal Temple of the Arts was founded in 1967 by Maurice Phillips, Artist/Teacher/Philosopher, and a group of young artists including the organization’s current Executive/Artistic Director. UTA set out to provide life enrichment programs to Staten Island’s grass root communities under the mission of “quickening the creative spirit and fostering brotherly love.”

Description:
Through the years, UTA has continued to uphold this mission through providing a unique blend of artistic, cultural and social educational programs including instruction in art, music, dance and sewing, self-esteem and conflict resolution/peer mediation workshops, as well as entrepreneurial and basic computer training. All UTA programs are skillfully designed to incorporate literacy and mathematics procedures in an effort to enhance a child’s performance in these core scholastic areas.

History:
The population that UTA serves is primarily African-Americans and Hispanics between the ages of six and fifteen who are often from single parent and low-moderate income level households. Most of these youths are residents of Staten Island’s New Brighton and Tompkinsville communities. During UTA’s last fiscal year (July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006) we served over 700 youths through our on and off site programs. Offsite programs are taught at local schools, community centers, other organization facilities and churches throughout Staten Island’s under-served minority communities. UTA works to offset the most prevalent ills facing these communities, including the increased level of violence. UTA’s conflict resolution/peer mediation workshops provide an outlet to youth participants for discussing personal problems and public issues happening locally and around the world that concern them. Participants are then taught how to transform anger into positive energy by engaging in relaxing projects that interest them such as poetry and song writing, choreography, quilt making & art. Participants also learn how to resolve disputes by partaking in role-playing exercises and watching videotapes related to this matter

Contact people:

Sajda Ladner, Executive Director, (718) 273-5610, (email) Gerald Lamadieu, Treasurer, (718) 816-0986, (email) Helen Settles, Board President, (718) 981-4169, (email)

Address:

425 Jersey Street Staten Island, NY 10301 (See a map)

Directions:

Take Subway 1 or 9, Lexington Avenue Downtown Express to Bowling Green, or N or R to Whitehall Street. Take Staten Island Ferry. Take #42 or 52 bus to 425 Jersey Street, Staten Island.   Nearest Bus Stop: 42 or 52