Celebrating the Art and Activism of Shepard Fairey Hosted by Young New Yorkers

Young New Yorkers (YNY) provides court-mandated arts programs to justice involved young people in Brooklyn. New York is one of only two states in the U.S. that arrests and sentences 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. The criminal court gives eligible 16- and 17-year-old defendants the option to participate in a YNY program rather than spend time in jail, or incur other adult criminal justice sanctions. Upon successful completion of the program, a participant’s case is dismissed and sealed and they avoid a lifelong criminal record at as young as 16. To date, 100% of more than 250 participants have successfully graduated from YNY programs. YNY’s ultimate goal is to empower participants to transform the criminal justice system through their own creative voices.