About
Empowering Minds, Transforming Lives
Welcome to our world of creativity and mindfulness! With a humble beginning in a church basement in Queens 20 years ago, Jiyoung Park and Jamie Parganos embarked on a journey to design enriching programs. Their dedication and passion led them to work with renowned organizations across New York City, including the YWCA, Manhattan Youth, SAYA, LEAP, Cambridge Learning Center, GOProject, Broadway Housings, Teach for America, and Good Shepherd Services. Along the way, they cultivated valuable program partnerships with the Department of Youth and Community Development, The After School Corporation, the Department of Education, The United Federation of Teachers, and numerous private and public schools.
Driven by their vision to revolutionize informal education with innovative solutions and limited resources, Jiyoung and Jamie joined forces to create a groundbreaking model for youth and adult programming that places creativity and mindfulness at the core. To strengthen their team, they welcomed Jon Soto, a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in multi-disciplinary youth development, who played a vital role in shaping our creative process and values.
As an artist-led organization, we also strive to provide mentorship for adult artists. Consequently, our staffing model for youth programming follows the same principle. Our co-founders wholeheartedly committed to centering artists in our strategic planning, recognizing the immense value they bring to our organization.
Join us on this remarkable journey of empowerment and transformation. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of young minds, fostering creativity, and promoting mindfulness in our communities.
Explore our programs, get involved, and support us today. Together, let's unleash the power of creativity and unlock the potential within each individual.
We believe one creative idea can change the world
Our Mission
Creative Muse provides comprehensive programming and mentorship to youth and adults with an emphasis on creativity and mindfulness as 21st century skills needed for holistic success and innovation.
Our Vision
Creative Muse believes all youth and adults should have access to creative skills and emotional coping mechanisms that can help them unlock their potential to be change-makers in their lives and in the world.