Partner Spotlight: Friends of Materials for the Arts (FOMA) / Materials for the Arts (MFTA)
The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation is pleased to highlight the impactful work of Friends of Materials for the Arts (FOMA) and its partner program, Materials for the Arts (MFTA)—a New York City initiative that is redefining how communities access creative resources while advancing sustainability.
Materials for the Arts, a program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, serves as the city’s premier creative reuse center. Its mission is to connect schools, educators, artists, nonprofits, and community organizations with donated materials that can be repurposed for learning, cultural programming, and creative expression. FOMA, the nonprofit partner, supports and strengthens this work through advocacy, fundraising, and programmatic guidance.
Expanding Access to Resources
In 2024, MFTA continued to operate at an impressive scale:
2,028 organizations accessed materials through the MFTA warehouse (from a membership network of more than 5,000 organizations).
Over 6.1 million pounds of supplies were redistributed.
The value of materials provided—free of charge—exceeded $24.8 million.
These resources supported a wide cross-section of the community:
Arts and cultural organizations: 42%
New York City public schools and Department of Education programs: 35%
Nonprofit organizations: 16%
City agencies: 7%
By removing financial barriers to supplies, MFTA enables organizations to direct more funding toward programming, education, and community services.
Strengthening Education and Workforce Pathways
MFTA’s Education Center plays a central role in engaging students and educators through hands-on, sustainability-focused learning. In 2024:
More than 5,500 students participated in field trips to the warehouse, including 173 free visits for Title I schools.
300+ educators attended professional development workshops, with scholarships available to those serving low-income communities.
The organization also expanded youth-focused initiatives such as the Young Designers Program (launched in 2024) and the Repair Program (launched in 2023), both of which introduce participants to practical skills, creative reuse practices, and career pathways in design and hands-on industries.
Innovation, Partnerships, and Growth
2024 marked a year of strategic expansion. MFTA introduced new collaborations with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment to strengthen sustainability practices in television and film production, demonstrating how reuse models can extend into major industries.
The organization also unveiled a new brand identity, developed with the design firm Pentagram and launched in Times Square, signaling both its evolution and its continued commitment to serving New York City’s creative ecosystem.
Community-Powered Impact
MFTA’s work is sustained by robust volunteer engagement. In 2024:
4,953 volunteers and interns contributed
12,711 hours of service, equivalent to roughly five full-time staff positions
These volunteers help maintain the organization’s 35,000-square-foot warehouse and ensure materials remain accessible to member organizations.
Advancing Creativity and Sustainability
Through its innovative reuse model, MFTA simultaneously supports arts education, environmental responsibility, and equitable access to resources. Teachers gain classroom materials without personal expense, nonprofits extend their operational capacity, and artists and community programs benefit from supplies that might otherwise be discarded.
The work of FOMA and MFTA illustrates how collaboration, sustainability, and creativity can intersect to produce meaningful community impact. Their efforts continue to strengthen cultural participation while promoting responsible stewardship of resources—values closely aligned with the Foundation’s commitment to supporting organizations that enhance opportunity and quality of life in the communities they serve.
For more information about Materials for the Arts and opportunities to support their work, visit materialsforthearts.org
