History & Founders
Founded in 1968 by Andrew McKinley, Dr. Maurice B. Hexter, and philanthropist Samuel Lemberg, Usdan brought arts education to a summer camp setting on Long Island. More than 50 years later, it remains a New York arts institution, taught by artists and educators from the country's leading conservatories and universities.
Mission & Values
We invite people of all ages to experience the natural beauty of our campus and the transformative power of the arts. Usdan was founded on Jewish values that inspire us to make the world more just and more beautiful. When we welcome the diverse group of passionate young artists here each summer, the heart of Usdan comes alive.
Annual Reports
Each year, the annual report statistics reflect the breadth and impact of Usdan's programming. An interactive viewer allows the user to flip through the pages of the annual reports.
Artists @ Usdan
Every summer, Usdan brings world-class teachers and visiting artists – actors, directors, playwrights, painters, sculptors, musicians, composers, dancers, poets and novelists – to teach and collaborate with Usdan campers ages 4 to 18. Experienced artists and young creators learn from each other and contribute to one another’s work and development.
Board & Leadership
Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts include executive leadership and a dedicated board of directors.
Faculty & Staff
We believe that the most critical aspect of maintaining the singularity of the Usdan summer experience is the faculty’s incredible work with our students. We seek out those working creative artists and is steeped in Usdan’s core principals of skill, play, community, nature, collaboration, diversity, voice and design.
