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ABOUT US
Kid smiling

WE BELIEVE

  • in ecstatic, expansive learning

  • in understanding and awareness

  • in building stamina and persistence

  • in holistic, interdisciplinary learning

  • in the connection between the hands, 
    heart & mind

  • in the self & in selfies

  • in authenticity 

  • in self-actualization

  • in glamour & grit

  • a childhood of creative production

    leads to a creatively-lived life

  • kids are capable, intelligent and creative

  • confidence is earned not given

  • kids will make the future

  • context matters

  • practice makes perfect

  • skills pay the bills

  • math is loveable

  • sewing is knowing

  • play leads to discovery

  • love heals

WHEN KIDS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC LEARNERS THEY BECOME PERSISTENT, RESILIENT, CONFIDENT CREATORS, SOLVING PROBLEMS BIG AND SMALL. 

The Children's Institute of Fashion Arts is a New York City non-profit organization devoted to expansive education in the culture and craft of clothing.  This means that we are experts in practice and theory, teaching sewing, design, persistence, and creative logic, as well as history, culture, and society.

 

We don't expect all our students to become fashion designers; we believe that sewing is a basic skill that everyone should know how to do. Clothing construction is like engineering but with fabric.  Children learn patience and overcome small challenges to achieve success. Hands-on creative production for kids leads to a lifetime of inquiry and engagement.

 

Since 2016, the CIFA has been teaching afterschool programs in the New York City public schools, engaging school students and teachers in specialized curricula linking textiles to culture, history, and society. The Creative Learning Grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council has allowed us to offer our Fashion Arts Workshops to kids outside of school since 2017.  In 2022, we received a New York State Council on the Arts Grant!

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