Frank Jackson
Founder and Executive Director
Frank Jackson, Founder and President of Art For Progress (AFP), is an entrepreneur, businessman, and disk jockey. Frank is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University.
After moving to NYC from Washington D.C. in early 1997, he immersed himself in the culture and diversity of the city. Through the years, Frank has had the opportunity to meet many artistic people including musicians, fashion designers, painters and the like. He realized that most of them, though extremely talented, were not very successful. In knowing many talented artists, and understanding the struggles they endured, he set out to create a truly “outside the box”, multi- faceted organization that could achieve many positive results for both the artists and his community: he saw an opportunity to apply his business knowledge in the arts world.
Over the last two years, Art For Progress has provided opportunities and valuable resources for many gifted artists in the New York area and beyond. In 2006, with the launch of AFP's dynamic new artist's community website, Frank continues to shape this prospering organization's vision. According to Jackson, this, however... is just the beginning.
Kenneth Yee
Arts Education Coordinator
Having grown up in the center of the art world, Hicksville, Long Island, Kenneth Yee developed a passion for the arts at a young age. Coming to terms early on that he would not become the sixth member of Pearl Jam, Kenny decided to focus on a path towards the visual side and received a degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Having spent time as an art director, a freelance designer for Nicole Miller, graphic artist and accomplished server in the food industry, Kenny started volunteering at a community center in the Lower East Side. This experience prompted him to leave his job in publishing to help develop an art program at the center and for the next 7 years teach art to youth within the community.
Now having found his true passion, Kenny has taught various mediums of art to all ages, ranging from toddlers to 19 year olds. He currently teaches at a school in Tribeca and is working on furthering his own painting career.
Artist lives and paints in Long Island City and is excited to be a part of Art For Progress and in developing its Arts Education program.
Allyson Jacobs
Fashion Director
Allyson Jacobs, a native of Baker, Louisiana, has been involved in fashion design her entire life. From the age of three, she assisted her mother, Jean Jacobs, a designer of Mardi Gras gowns and headpieces. Jean taught Allyson about fabric, fit and style, which is the foundation of Allyson Jacobs Design.
Her clothing line, called Allyson Jacobs, is comprised of couture gowns and suits, as well as high-quality ready-to-wear pieces. Her clothing brings together the best of New York, with uptown quality and downtown cool. She has established a following in New York, Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, and plans to next enter the international fashion arena.
Allyson premiered her line at the first Art for Progress event in May, 2004, and has since become involved in the organization. As the Fashion Director, she works to seek out and support other emerging fashion and accessory designers who exhibit artistic talent and determination. Fashion shows are held throughout the year, and produced by Allyson. Designers are encouraged to become involved in the planning process, with the show reflecting their own style and message.
As the Fashion Director of Art for Progress, Allyson is working to establish the organization as a place to find exceptional emerging designers and artists in the fashion industry. With fashion-focused events taking place during New York Fashion Week, a few designers can collectively have a bold presence on the fashion landscape. Fashion illustrators and photographers are exposed to the industry as well, with exhibitions of their work being held during the events.
Staci Smith
Public Relations
Manhattan-based publicist Staci Smith has been doing press and events for 9 years with a focus on Arts & Entertainment, Lifestyle, and Publishing.
While Smith may now have her hands full with Arts & Culture clients - she originally began her career as a Healthcare and Pharmaceutical publicist. However, her own background in the arts as a singer and actress swayed her to steer her publicity career in another direction.
Now having worked with many different types of clients - in both press and marketing capacities - she enjoys and has become known for finding inventive ways to help clients reach a wider audience with recent media placements in The New York Times, USAToday, New York magazine, Surface Magazine, ZinK magazine, Bust Magazine, HX, Time Out, WABC-TV's The Early Show, Fox Good Day New York, and CBS Sunday Morning.
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