Playbill has partnered with Inspired to create and amplify stories of inspiration that advocate for access to arts and cultural experiences for young people across the country. The following article is written by the team at Situation Project and adapted from their online publication Inspired. Click here to learn more.

Across New York City, thousands of students took part in arts and culture experiences designed to broaden their horizons and strengthen their sense of belonging. From first-time visits to Broadway theaters and museum galleries to college exploration and backstage conversations with cultural leaders, the year marked significant growth in Situation Project’s efforts to create more equitable pathways for young people.

Situation Group President Damian Bazadona has long emphasized the importance of that mission. “When you open a door for a young person, you’re not just giving them access,” shared Bazadona, “You’re giving them a pathway.”

That ethos guided several new initiatives in 2025, including a milestone program that became a defining moment for the organization’s commitment to community building.

The Inaugural Intern Summit

One of the year’s most notable achievements was the launch of the Inaugural Intern Summit, a gathering that convened interns from across the arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors for a day of discussion, mentorship, and professional insight. The Summit centered transparency and access, providing early-career creatives with direct exposure to industry leaders and peers.

Participants described the environment as one where candid conversations were encouraged and where the realities of building a career in the arts were addressed with honesty and optimism. The program underscored a broader need within the cultural sector: creating intentional, consistent spaces where emerging professionals can connect, learn, and begin to see themselves reflected in the industry.

Executive Director Samara Berger expressed the program’s core purpose succinctly: “The industry is stronger when more young people can see themselves in it.”

Recognition of Impact

The Intern Summit’s influence reached beyond the room itself. This fall, Situation Group was honored with a Silver Award at the 5th Annual Anthem Awards, recognized in the Networking or Community Organizations category under Community Engagement: Education, Art & Culture. Selected from more than 2,000 submissions across 42 countries, the award acknowledged the Summit’s role in strengthening early-career access and supporting a more inclusive creative workforce.

While the recognition marked a notable milestone for the organization, the award’s significance lay in its alignment with a growing movement across the country: deepening pathways for students and emerging professionals who have historically lacked access to cultural and creative industries.

Bazadona added perspective on the importance of this work, noting, “When young people see themselves in the story, everything shifts.”

A Continued Need for Opportunity

Throughout the year, students from underserved communities engaged in immersive arts experiences that introduced them to college and career possibilities, creative disciplines, and cultural institutions they had not previously been able to access. Many of these experiences served as formative entry points, offering students new ways to envision their futures.

This need has been echoed beyond the classroom. Earlier this year, during public testimony before the New York City Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, Bazadona highlighted the millions of unfilled theater and cultural seats across the city. Council Member Rivera underscored those same statistics, pointing to the disconnect between unused cultural capacity and the thousands of students still waiting for access.

Despite this progress, barriers remain. Rising cost of living, transportation challenges, school budget cuts, and reduced arts programming continue to limit opportunities for young people across the city. As pathways narrow, the importance of community-supported arts access becomes even more critical.

Looking Ahead

As 2026 approaches, Situation Project plans to expand its programming to reach more students, deepen its partnerships, and build on the momentum created by this year’s initiatives. Continued philanthropic support will play a central role in sustaining and scaling these efforts, ensuring that more young people can participate in experiences that broaden their worldview and support long-term success.

In reflecting on the organization’s forward momentum, Bazadona offered a reminder that remains at the heart of the mission: “If we want the next generation of storytellers to thrive, the work starts now by helping them belong today.”

This end-of-year season, contributions to Situation Project directly support programs that open doors for students across New York City—doors that can shape futures, strengthen communities, and redefine who gets to participate in the cultural life of the city.

Inspired was created by Situation Project 501(c)3.