About us

Art deserves a seat at the business table

Why two business students started a nonprofit about art, and the team that runs it today.

FROM: Emily Tong & Grace Zhou · Co-Founders

Dear AIA community,

We met at Bergen County Academies, where we bonded over marketing, graphic design and art. The more we learned about business, the more we noticed art and design being treated as an afterthought, and with AI tools everywhere, that has only gotten worse.

So we started AIA to show the opposite: good design is worth something, and young artists can bring real value to real businesses.

Today we're 60+ students who design for local organizations for free, run workshops and give back through service. If you love to create, you belong here.

Emily & Grace

What we stand for

Our values

“We aim to encourage artistic expression within students, uplift creative young entrepreneurs in the arts, and support small businesses.”

  • Community
  • Integrity
  • Diversity
  • Craft
  • Creativity
  • Empowerment

What’s next

Branch expansion

More regional and out-of-state chapters, led by students in their own communities.

Online expansion

Growing a creative community on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Education

Webinars and workshops on why art and design matter in business.

Meet the team

The AIA color guide

Hover a card to flip it.

We're growing

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