WHERE ART
IGNITES LEARNING
Schools today are struggling to meet students’ educational and developmental needs. Current educational and funding models are insufficient to address the challenges facing this generation of learners.
ASAP! is addressing those disparities. We bring creative, curriculum-aligned programming directly to schools and communities through dynamic workshops and innovative classroom projects (and an awesome summer camp!).
Here’s how we do it…
Jump to
How We Do It
The ASAP! Method
Identify the goals & needs
We connect with teachers, students, and administration to learn about student and community needs. Together we develop and target specific learning goals and outcomes.
develop the program
With that information, we collaborate with teaching artists to design a curriculum-aligned program that addresses the goals. We handle all planning logistics including acquiring funding.
Bring it to life
Teaching artists and ASAP! staff bring the learning experience to youth through an engaging, playful, emergent, relationship-centered program.
evaluate the experience
After each program, we ask students, teachers, and administrators to reflect on their experience so that we can synthesize input and enable programs to change and grow in effectiveness.
"Parents are recognizing a talent in their child that they didn’t see before, and watching it develop before their eyes."
Mission
To foster creative, hands-on learning through the arts: ASAP!
Founder's Statement
JoAnne Torti founded ASAP! in 1999 with the belief that our collective success depends on the success of each individual. Her journey began with a focus on children, driven by her passion for their well-being, the health of our planet, and education.
During her 26 years as Executive Director from 1999 to 2025, JoAnne expanded ASAP! from 72 participants in one region to a statewide organization serving over 100,000 students. Under her leadership, ASAP! was recognized as the top Cultural Arts Organization and received the CultureMax Award from the Connecticut Office of the Arts in 2016 for excellence in arts educational programming and its positive impact on regional communities. In 2020, she was honored with the Arts Hero Award, presented by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, which recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to the arts and celebrates those who inspire through their work in the arts across the state.
JoAnne believes that the arts are the foundation of all learning, as they help us understand our humanity. The artistic process encourages us to be present, listen, observe, reflect, and respond with open hearts and minds to possibilities. Through this journey, students discover who they are and find the courage to become who they want to be.
She has always been inspired by students’ creativity and honored to support them in becoming the future leaders and caretakers of our planet.
Staff
Ali Psomas
Rochelle Lind
Jenna Robb
Sam Macary
Olivia Showalter
Teaching Artists
Becca Barolli – Sculpture
Robert Calafiore – Photography
Circus Splendiferous – Circus Arts
Kaitlin Clark – Visual Art
Kimiye Corwin – Dance
James Czeiner – Strings
Krystyana Czeiner – Strings
Kimolee Eryn – Multidisciplinary
Lynnette Johnson – Poetry
Emily Milam Kent – Dance
Jason Killinger – Multidisciplinary
John Marshall – Percussion
Ysanne Marshall – Vocals, yoga, and mindfulness
Chantal Edwards Matthews – Dance
Alissa Monteleone – Culinary Arts
Pilobolus – Dance Theater
Jenna Robb – Multidisciplinary
Janelle Anne Robinson – Drama
Elyse Sadtler – Henna
Angie Silverstein – Literary Arts
Jesse Smolover – Illustration
Emma Welty – Textiles
Zoe Weymouth – Multidisciplinary
Board of Directors
Andrew Linde – President
Rima Khalil – Treasurer
Heather Benveniste
Pam Bless
Maria Campbell
Gretchen Hohenstein
Jane Klein
Allen Kovac
Alissa Monteleone
Jessica Rose
Kathy Wenning
PREVIOUS BOARD MEMBERS
Amy-Julia Becker – 2018-2023
Amol Naik – 2021-2025
Andrew Freedman – 2019-2020
Ann Burton – 2004-2009
Ann Leary – 2004-2010
Barbara Gold – 2009
Beatrice Rossi-Lande – 2018-2023
Bill Risley – 2005-2006
Bruce Haims – 2014-2019
Bruce Storm – 2007-2012
Chris Smith – 2004-2016
Dan Pine – 2022-2024
Darcy Beyer – 2004-2009
Dayla Aita – 2009-2012
Dr. Michael John Williams – 2015-2018
Ellen McCourt – 2005-2016
Hilary Houldin – 2009-2010
Hugh Rawson – 2004-2012
Jack Rosenberg – 2019-2023
Jane Risley – 2008-2012
Jill Lloyd – 2007-2016
John Millington – 2004-2013
Joseph Montebello – 2014-2014
Judy Auchincloss – 2010-2021
Julie Stuart – 2005-2010
Michelle Weaver – 2021-2023
Nicole Tongue – 2022-2024
Pat Cosentino – 2012-2013
Paul Doherty – 2004-2012
Peter Hershey – 2004-2005
Richard Carmelich – 2005-2007
Rob Parker – 2010-2021
Sande Breakstone – 2017-2021
Sara Savage – 2010-2024
Shanley Rowe – 2022-2025
Susan Haber – 2012-2016
Susanna Salk – 2004-2009
Susie Case – 2013-2015
Tal Fagin – 2012-2025
Tony Vengrove – 2016-2023
Visko Hatfield – 2013-2016